Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997

24 Auxiliary verbs used alone: She likes cheese, but I don’t

Quick reference

• We often use an auxiliary verb (be, have, might, would, can, etc.) on its own to avoid repeating the main verb.

Most of my friends are going abroad this summer, but I’m not.

Have you seen their new baby? - My sister has, but I haven’t.

• We use the full form of auxiliaries when they’re affirmative.

I’m not going to the match, but Tom is. (not Tom’s)

• We use forms of do if the preceding main verb is in the present simple or past simple.

I don’t eat meat, but my brother does. All my friends went to Sally’s party, but I didn’t.

• If the main verb has two auxiliaries, we normally repeat only the first.

They won’t have finished lunch yet. - Yes, they will. It’s quarter past two.

I would have bought that video camera. -I wouldn’t. It was too expensive.

• But we use two auxiliaries if we change the verb form.

I didn’t buy that car, but I would have if I’d had enough money.

• We use an auxiliary on its own in reply questions to show interest or surprise.

I've cut my finger. - Have you? He drank the whole bottle. - Did he?

1 Sue, Zoe and Anna are sisters, but their Jives are very different. Look at the chart and answer the questions, using the correct auxiliary verb.

Example: Who likes sport? Zoe does, but Sue and Anna don't.

1 Who was born in England? ... but ...

2 Who lived for a time in the USA? ... but ...

3 Who’s got long hair? ... but ...

4 Who’s had a serious illness? ... but ...

5 Who plays a musical instrument? ... but ...

6 Who enjoys horse-riding? ... but

7 Who will be on holiday in Florida next week? ... but ...

8 Who can swim? ... but ...

9 Who’s got a boyfriend at the moment? ... but ...

10 Who’s looking for a job? ... but ...

2 Sam’s girlfriend, Alice, has just gone to live in Scotland. Shaun and Neil live in the same flat as Sam. Decide which answer, A, В or C best fits each space.

Shaun: I haven’t seen Sam ail day.

Neil: I (1) ... either. I don’t know where he is. (A don’tВ haven’t C have)

Shaun: Who left this note?

Neil: Sam (2) ... It’s his handwriting. (A hasn'tВ should have C. must have)

Shaun: But he doesn’t say where he’s gone.

Neil: He (3) ... if he’d wanted us to know. He obviously doesn’t want us to know where he’s gone.

(A would have В would C hasn’t)

Shaun: Do you think he’s gone to Scotland to see Alice?

Neil: He (4) ... Who knows? (A must haveВ might have C could)

Shaun: Do you think he’ll telephone?

Neil: He (5) ... I’m not sure. (A won'tВ couldn’t C might)

Shaun: Has he taken his car?

Neil: He (6) ... because it isn’t here. (A must haveВ would have C can’t have)

Shaun: He was acting very strangely this morning.

Neil: I know he (7) ... We should have asked him why. (A didВ was C wasn’t)

Shaun: I (8) ..., but I didn’t have time. (A would haveВ would C couldn't)

Neil: Can’t we phone Alice?

Shaun: We (9) ... but we haven’t got her number. (A can'tВ could C won't)

3 The Government has just announced its budget for next year. Two people are talking about it. One has heard the news, the other has not. Match the statements on the left with the reply questions on the right.

1 The Chancellor’s reduced income tax by 2%.

2 He said this would help the economy.

3 But low-paid people won’t benefit.

4 They think it’s a big concession to the rich.

5 He should have given more money to the low-paid.

6 The price of petrol’s going up.

7 But he hasn’t increased the tax on wine and spirits.

8 He didn’t increase spending on education.

9 I’ve never known a more selfish budget.

10 I reckon it’s a budget for the rich.

a) Didn’t he?

b) Do you?

c) Haven’t you?

d) Hasn’t he?

e) Won’t they?

f) Has he?

g) Do they?

h) Is it?

i) Should he?

j) Did he?

1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10...

4 Compare members of your family. Write five sentences, using auxiliary verbs on their own.

Example: I don't like shopping, but my brother does.

Write five sentences about things you wanted to do but that you did not do because of circumstances, or about things that you did, but that you regret now. Use the auxiliaries would have or should have/shouldn’t have on their own.

Examples: I didn't work hard at college. I should have, but / was lazy.

I got drunk at my sister's party. I shouldn't have, but I was feeling depressed.

Check your answers with a teacher.