Unit 51: Auxiliary verbs (have/do/can etc.) I think so / I hope so etc.

Auxiliary verbs (have, do, can, was, will etc.) let you answer, agree, disagree and show interest without repeating the whole sentence. The unit also covers So am I / Neither do I and I think so / I hope not.

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A Auxiliary verbs instead of repeating

Many sentences contain an auxiliary verb (a helping verb) and a main verb:

Subject	Auxiliary	Main verb
I	have	forgotten	my password.
Dan	can't	drive	on Saturday.
The bridge	was	opened	in 1932.
Why	do (you)	need	a new phone?

When you do not wish to repeat the whole sentence, the auxiliary can stand in for it:

"Have you fed the cat?" "Yes, I have." (= I have fed the cat)
Callum wasn't listening, but Hannah was. (= Hannah was listening)

For the present simple and past simple, use do / does / did.

Auxiliaries are also the standard way to deny what somebody has said. It is quicker than an argument and, in most households, considerably more frequent.

"Have you fed the cat?" "Yes, I have."
Callum wasn't listening, but Hannah was.
My uncle could fix the boiler, but he won't.
"Do you like olives?" "Yes, I do."
"Does Ffion still work at the bank?" "She did, but she doesn't any more."
"You're standing on my foot." "No, I'm not."
"You didn't switch the oven off." "Yes, I did."

B Have you? / Isn't she? / Did it? to show interest or surprise

A short question made from the auxiliary (have you? / isn't she? / did it? / are they?) shows that you are interested in what somebody has said, or surprised by it. It is not really a request for information. The speaker will usually carry on regardless.

"I've just bumped into Gareth." "Oh, have you? How is he?"
"Rosie isn't at school today." "Isn't she? Is she ill?"
"It snowed all week in Keswick." "Did it? What a pity!"
"Mo and Leanne are moving to Spain." "Are they? When?"

C So am I / Neither do I

Use an auxiliary with so (for positive sentences) and neither (for negative ones) to say that the same is true of you or of somebody else.

Note the word order: so / neither + auxiliary + subject. The verb comes before the subject.

Correct	Not
I failed my driving test and so did Kyle.	so Kyle did

Instead of neither, you can use nor. You can also use not ... either:

"I don't understand it." "Neither do I." / "Nor do I." / "I don't either."

"I'm starving." "So am I."
"I never watch the news." "Neither do I."
Stacey can't swim and neither can her brother.
I failed my driving test and so did Kyle.
"I don't understand it." "Nor do I."

D I think so / I suppose so / I hope not etc.

I think so / I suppose so / I expect so etc. save you repeating something:

"Is that bus going to the station?" "I think so." (= I think it is going to the station)

The same pattern works with I hope so, I guess so and I'm afraid so.

The usual negatives are as follows:

Positive	Negative
I think so / I expect so	I don't think so / I don't expect so
I hope so / I'm afraid so	I hope not / I'm afraid not
I guess so / I suppose so	I guess not / I suppose not

Note I hope not, never "I don't hope so".

"Is that bus going to the station?" "I think so."
"Is Marcus working on Sunday?" "I suppose so."
"Will you be in later?" "I expect so."
"Is that man the new vicar?" "I don't think so."
"Do you think the match will be cancelled?" "I hope not."

Exercises

51.1 Complete each sentence with an auxiliary verb (do/was/could/might etc.). On some occasions the verb must be negative (don't/wasn't etc.).

I wasn't hungry, but my brother was.
I wasn't hungry, but my brother was.
I enjoy cold weather, but Megan .
"Is Rhys in the office?" "He ten minutes ago, but I think he's gone home now."
I haven't been abroad much, but my sister .
Dev said he might ring tonight, but I don't think he .
I can't decide whether to buy the flat or not. Do you think I ?
"Please don't mention the broken vase to Gran." "Don't worry. I ."
"You never help with the washing-up." "Yes, I !"
I normally cycle to work, but yesterday I .
"Do you think the trains will be late?" "They . Leave early just in case."
"Are you and Nia coming to the quiz?" "I , but Nia ."
"Please give me a lift to Bradford." "I'm sorry. I if I , but I ."

51.2 You never agree with Amy. Answer her in the way shown.

Amy: "I'm cold."
Are you? I'm not.
Are you? I'm not.
Amy: "I don't like cooking."
Don't you? I do.
Don't you? I do.
Amy: "I like jazz."
Amy: "I didn't enjoy the concert."
Amy: "I'm not hungry."
Amy: "I thought the quiz was hard."

51.3 Tina tells you something. If the same is true of you, answer with So ... or Neither ... (as in the first example). If it is not, ask Tina a question (as in the second example).

Tina: "I'm not sleepy."
Example answer: Neither am I.
Tina: "I work at weekends."
Example answer: Do you? Where do you work?
Tina: "I went to the cinema last night."
Tina: "I won't be at work tomorrow."
Tina: "I like gardening."
Tina: "I'd like to live by the sea."
Tina: "I can't come out tonight."
Tina: "I'm looking forward to Christmas."

51.4 What do you say to Sam? Use I think so, I hope not etc. with the verb in brackets.

You do not like snow.
Sam: "Is it going to snow?" (hope)
I hope not.
I hope not.
You would very much like some time off.
Sam: "Do you think you'll get a week off in August?" (hope)
You are going to a wedding. You cannot stand Gavin.
Sam: "Will Gavin be at the wedding?" (hope)
You are not sure whether Priya has children, but she probably has not.
Sam: "Has Priya got any children?" (think)
Owen has worked in France for many years.
Sam: "Does Owen speak French?" (suppose)
You have to leave Sam's barbecue early.
Sam: "Are you going already?" (afraid)
You are not sure what time the match starts, but it is probably three o'clock.
Sam: "What time's the match? Three?" (think)
You are the receptionist at a dentist's. There are no appointments left today.
Sam: "Have you got anything this afternoon?" (afraid)

Auxiliary verbs (have/do/can etc.) I think so / I hope so etc.