AUXILIARY VERBS EXERCISE 1 (BE, DO, HAVE) (ESL)
A2–B1 · IntermediateUseful for:✓ TOEFL✓ TOEIC
Practice the auxiliary verbs be, do, and have with 20 multiple-choice questions. Choose the correct helping verb in simple present, present continuous, and present perfect questions and short answers. Check your answers and read a short explanation for each one.
Exercise 1 · Exercise 2 · Exercise 3
Need a refresher? Review the grammar ↓Choose the correct auxiliary verb — be, do, or have — to complete each sentence.
1.________ he changed much over the years?
Correct answer: Has — Has + past participle forms the present perfect — asking about change over a period of time.
2.________ she speaking Polish?
Correct answer: Is — Is forms the present continuous question — is she speaking.
3.________ he like to drive at night?
Correct answer: Does — Does forms present simple questions for third-person singular — does he like.
4.________ you normally read before you go to bed?
Correct answer: Do — Do forms the present simple question for second person — do you normally read.
5.________ I look tired?
Correct answer: Do — Do forms the present simple question for first person, with the base verb look — do I look tired.
6.________ you seen that movie several times already?
Correct answer: Have — Have + past participle = present perfect — asking about a completed action with current relevance.
7.P1: Do you like him? P2: Yes, I ________!
Correct answer: do — short answer to a do you question uses do — Yes, I do.
8.________ she been to Greece before?
Correct answer: Has — Has + past participle = present perfect — asking about past experience.
9.________ they going to the shopping center?
Correct answer: Are — Are forms the present continuous question with plural subjects — are they going.
10.________ they always cheat?
Correct answer: Do — Do is the correct auxiliary for third-person plural present simple questions.
11.________ you ever tried an AI tool to practice English?
Correct answer: Have — Have + past participle forms a present perfect question about experience — have you ever tried.
12.________ your sister listening to a podcast right now?
Correct answer: Is — Is + verb-ing forms a present continuous question about an action happening now — is your sister listening.
13.________ this app work without an internet connection?
Correct answer: Does — Does + base verb forms a simple present question with a singular subject — does this app work.
14.P1: Are you charging your electric bike? P2: Yes, I ________.
Correct answer: am — A short answer to are you uses am with I — Yes, I am.
15.________ your friends usually buy clothes from secondhand stores?
Correct answer: Do — Do forms a simple present question about a habit with a plural subject — do your friends usually buy.
16.________ Mia chosen a new password for her account?
Correct answer: Has — Has + the past participle chosen forms the present perfect with a singular subject.
17.________ they watching a live concert on their phones?
Correct answer: Are — Are + verb-ing forms the present continuous with they — are they watching.
18.P1: Have you downloaded the new game? P2: Yes, I ________.
Correct answer: have — A short answer to have you uses have — Yes, I have.
19.________ your brother post cooking videos online every week?
Correct answer: Does — Does + base verb forms a simple present question about a routine — does your brother post.
20.________ I sharing my screen in this video call?
Correct answer: Am — Am + verb-ing forms the present continuous with I — am I sharing.
Grammar review
Auxiliary verbs: be, do, have — what each one does
Be, do, and have are the three main auxiliary (helping) verbs in English. Each one pairs with a main verb to create a specific tense or meaning.
BE — forms continuous tenses and the passive voice
“She is working late tonight.” (present continuous)
“They were sleeping when I arrived.” (past continuous)
“The letter was written by him.” (passive)
HAVE — forms perfect tenses
“I have finished my homework.” (present perfect)
“She had already left when he called.” (past perfect)
“They will have arrived by noon.” (future perfect)
DO — forms questions and negatives in simple tenses; adds emphasis
“Do you like coffee?” (question) “I don’t know.” (negative)
“I do agree with you.” (emphasis)
The key question: Which tense does the sentence need? The tense determines which auxiliary is correct.
Be, do, and have are the three main auxiliary (helping) verbs in English. Each one pairs with a main verb to create a specific tense or meaning.
BE — forms continuous tenses and the passive voice
“She is working late tonight.” (present continuous)
“They were sleeping when I arrived.” (past continuous)
“The letter was written by him.” (passive)
HAVE — forms perfect tenses
“I have finished my homework.” (present perfect)
“She had already left when he called.” (past perfect)
“They will have arrived by noon.” (future perfect)
DO — forms questions and negatives in simple tenses; adds emphasis
“Do you like coffee?” (question) “I don’t know.” (negative)
“I do agree with you.” (emphasis)
The key question: Which tense does the sentence need? The tense determines which auxiliary is correct.
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