The term “23 verbs” usually refers to the 23 helping verbs (auxiliary verbs) in English. These verbs are used to form tenses, questions, negatives, and passive voice.
List of 23 Helping Verbs
Primary Helping Verbs (Forms of “Be, Have, Do”)
- am
- is
- are
- was
- were
- be
- being
- been
- have
- has
- had
- do
- does
- did
Modal Helping Verbs
- can
- could
- may
- might
- must
- shall
- should
- will
- would
How they are used
Forming Tenses
- She is studying.
- They have completed the work.
Making Questions
- Do you like coffee?
- Can she swim?
Making Negatives
- She does not agree.
- He cannot come.
Why these verbs are important
- Essential for forming all tenses
- Help in sentence structure and clarity
- Frequently asked in exams and grammar tests
Key Insight
Without helping verbs, it becomes difficult to:
- Show time
- Ask questions
- Express possibility or obligation