How to Use Auxiliary Verbs for Emphasis and Contrast 🔹 English Grammar

Hi everyone. I'm Jennifer from  English with Jennifer. It's December,  

and one tradition I follow is holiday baking. I  don't have much time for baking during the year,  

but I do bake cookies at Christmastime. In this  video, we'll learn how to use auxiliary verbs  

for clarification and emphasis. I already gave  you an example. You did notice, didn't you?

Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs. You know  them. Modal verbs are a group of auxiliary verbs:  

can, could, will, should, and so on. We use  the helping verb BE in progressive verb forms:  

I am teaching. You are studying. We use the  helping verb HAVE in perfect verb forms.  

We have studied together many times. We hadn't  talked about this use of auxiliary verbs.

Think of the helping verbs we use in questions...

and negative forms.

Auxiliary verbs can be used to create a  contrast if you need to clarify or emphasize  

a fact or an opinion. I've never lived in New  York, but I have visited the city many times.  

I can't dance every kind of dance, but  I can do some basic ballroom steps.

With the simple present and simple past, we use  the helping verbs DO, DOES, and DID. For example,  

I don't see my neighbors every day,  but I do see them throughout the week.  

In writing, we can use italics for emphasis.  In speaking, we can use our voice. I do  

see them throughout the week. What happens if the  idea is negative? We still use the auxiliary verb,  

but the emphasis goes on "not."  I do not see them every day.

Quiz time! See if you can choose the correct  auxiliary verb to clarify or emphasize an idea.

Victoria doesn't have a pet, but  I know she does love animals.

I don't have a car, but I do know how to drive.

Levi hasn't been to Asia, but  he has traveled to Europe.

Kelly hasn't been to South America,  but she did travel to Mexico last year.

Our teacher said she won't grade her homework,  but she will grade class participation.

Garrett said he's free tonight,  but he is working all day tomorrow.

We can use the existing helping verb. We don't  use the contraction. We use the full form,  

and then through italics or our voice, we  emphasize the auxiliary verb: She will grade  

class participation. He is  working all day tomorrow.

I'm not sure I'll be able to see  my favorite singer perform live,  

but if I ever do, it will be an event to treasure.

Notice in that last example how we can use an  auxiliary verb not only for emphasis or contrast,  

but we can also use it to be concise. Ellipsis  is the practice of omitting unnecessary words  

because they're understood. If you'd like to learn  more about ellipsis watch my lesson on that topic.  

The full form here is "if I  ever do see my favorite singer."

We'll end here. Please like the  video if you found it useful.  

As always, thanks for watching and happy studies!

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