Unit 04: Be and Auxiliaries in Additions, Tags, and Short Answers

GRAMMAR NOTE
1. Auxiliaries are helping verbs (HV) that are used with main verbs (MV) to make negative statements, questions, progressive forms, and perfect forms, and to express meanings such as possibility and advice.

EXAMPLES
HV MV It doesnt make sense to me. HV MV Does this sound like a crazy theory? HV MV He might be a last born. Lets see if you can understand this. I think you can. (addition) A: She went to college, didnt she? (tag) B: Yes, she did. (short answer) You might assume presidents are firstborns. They usually are. A: Sulloway is a last born, isnt he? B: Yes, he is. We might think firstborns are conservative. They often are. Frank seems like a good parent. In fact, he is. Jerry owns a company. Or at least he says he does. Alice says weve solved the problem. Im not sure we have. Sam is a perfectionist. So is Jerry. OR Jerry is too. Jerry has never liked liberal ideas. Neither has Sam. OR Sam hasnt either. Martha got married last year. So did Helen. NOT So Helen did. Sam didnt go to college. Neither did Jerry. NOT Neither Jerry did. Some think all leaders are firstborns. They arent, though. Theyre not twins, but they are both firstborns. I dont have any children of my own. Still, I do love children.

2. Auxiliaries can used: a. without a main verb in additions to statements b. in the tags of tag questions c. in short answer The main verb be is also used in additions, tags, and short answers.

3. In additions that refer to previous information, we use be if it is present or implied in the previous statement. If be is not present in the previous statement, other auxiliaries are used to refer to previous information. 4. To make an affirmative addition to an affirmative statement, use so or too. To make a negative addition to a negative statement, use neither or not either.

Be Careful! When you make additions with so and neither, place these words at the beginning of the sentence, and invert the subject and the auxiliary. 5. Use auxiliaries to make a contrast with a preceding statement. Use a negative addition to make a contrast to an affirmative statement. Use an affirmative addition to make a contrast to a negative statement. NOTE: In additions of contrast, there is sometimes a contrast word such as but, though, however, or still.

To place special emphasis on a word, pronounce it with stress. To emphasize a verb in the simple present or simple past, use do, does, and did in affirmative sentences. To emphasize a verb with be and other auxiliaries, use full forms, not contrasted forms. 6. In tag questions, use a negative tag after an affirmative statement. Use an affirmative tag after a negative statement.

Neither of them got a college education. They did have successful careers.

Hes not a conservative. He is a Republican. Ive never read Sulloways book. I have read two of his articles. The birth-order theory makes sense, doesnt it? Young children shouldnt be left alone, should they? A: Youre an only child, arent you? B: Uh-huh. So was my dad. A: Thats an interesting idea, isnt it? B: Yeah. Its fascinating. A: You have a sister, dont you? B: No. Actually, I have a brother. Sulloway is a writer, isnt he? Yes, he is. Have you read his book? No, I havent. Is she an only child? Yes, she is. NOT Yes, shes. A: Had you heard about the birth-order theory previously? B: No, I hadnt. OR No, I had not.

Use tag questions to check information or to comment on a situation. You expect the listener to agree with you, and your voice falls on the tag. Use tag questions to get information. You expect an answer, and your voice rises on the tag. 7. Use auxiliaries without main verbs in short answer.

Be Careful! Use full forms, not contractions, in affirmative short answers. You can use contracted forms or full forms in negative short answers.

Addition Referring to Preceding Information

Statement You might think this is crazy. It sounds like its a ridiculous idea. You wonder if he might be wrong. Some people believe in you. See if you can solve it. He is working on this problem right now. Many of us have worked on this. Addition It is. It isnt. He is. Im not sure I do. Michael thinks you can. At least he says he is. All my friends have.

Additions of Similarity with So, Too, Neither, Not Either

Statement Addition

Michael is a good leader. Carolyn isnt jealous of her siblings. Annie doesnt play sports. George cant ski. George is studying engineering. Annie has visited Japan several times.

So is Dennis. Dennis is too. Neither is Alice. Alice isnt either. Karen doesnt either. Neither can Martin. So is Martin. Karen has too.

Additions of Contrast and Emphasis*

Statement Theyre not rich, Theyre rich; Shes never studied Italian, Hes had many years of German; I dont have a computer at home, We have a lot of money; My mother is never home; They didnt go to college; Addition but they ARE* successful. however, they ARENT powerful. but she CAN speak it fairly well. he CANT speak it, though. but I DO use one at work. still, we DONT manage to be happy. she DOES keep in touch, however. they DID become successful, though.

Tag Questions
Statement Thats a good idea, Youre working with Sam, Jeff has worked hard for this, We can visit your office, Annie works at the lab, Thats not a good idea, Im not doing well, Jason hasnt called, They cant come now, Megan didnt study, Tag isn't it? arent you? hasnt he? cant we? doesnt she? is it? am I? has he? can they? did she? Short Answers it is. I am. Yes, he has. you can. she does. its not. youre not. No, he hasnt. they cant. she didnt.