A.
In each of these sentences there is an auxiliary verb and a main verb:
I have lost my keys.
She can‘t come to the party.
The hotel was built ten years ago.
Where do you live?
In these examples have/can’t/was/do are auxiliary (= helping) verbs.
You can use an auxiliary verb when you do now want to repeat something.
“Have you locked the door?” “Yes, I have.” (= I have locked the door.)
George wasn’t working, but Janet was. (= Janet was working)
She could lend me the money, but she won’t. (= she won’t lend me the money)
Use do/does/did for the simple present and past:
“Do you like onions?” “Yes, I do.” (= I like onions.)
“Does Mark play soccer?” “He did, but he doesn’t anymore.”
You can use auxiliary verbs to deny what somebody says (= say it is not true):
“You’re sitting in my place.” “No, I’m not.” (= I’m not sitting in your place)
“You didn’t lock the door before you left.” “Yes, I did.” (= I locked the door)
B. We use You have? / She isn’t? / They do?, etc. to show interest in what somebody has
said:
“I’ve just seen David.” “You have? How is he?”
Liz isn’t feeling very well today.” “She isn’t? What’s wrong with her?”
“It rained every day during our vacation.” “It did? What a shame!”
“Jim and Karen are getting married.” “They are? Really?”
C. We use auxiliary verbs with so and neither:
“I’m tired.” “So am I.” (= I’m tired, too.)
“I never read newspapers.” “Neither do I.” (= I never read newspapers either)
Sue doesn’t have a car, and neither does Mark.
Note the word order after so and neither (verb before subject):
I passed the exam, and so did Paul. (not so Paul did)
You can also use not . . . Either instead of neither:
“I don’t have any money.” “Neither do I.” or “I don’t either.”
D. I think so / I hope so, etc.
After some verbs you can use so when you do not want to repeat something:
“Are those people Australian?” “I think so.” (= I think they are Australian)
“Will you be home tomorrow morning?” “I guess so.” (= I guess I’ll be home…)
“Do you think Kate has been invited to the party?” “I suppose so.”
You can also say: I hope so and I’m afraid so.
The usual negative forms are:
I think so I don’t think so
I hope so / I’m afraid so / I guess so I hope not / I’m afraid not / I guess not
I suppose so I suppose not
“Is that woman French?” “I think so. / I don’t think so.”
“Do you think it will rain?” “I hope so. / I hope not.” (not I don’t hope so)
Exercises
49.1 Complete each sentence with an auxiliary verb (do/was/could/should, etc.).
Sometimes the verb must be negative (don’t/wasn’t, etc.).
1. I wasn’t tired, but my friends ________________.
were
2. I like how weather, but Ann ___________________.
3. “Is Eric here?” “He ___________________ five minutes ago, but I think he’s gone.”
4. Liz said she might call later on tonight, but I don’t think she _______________.
5. “Are you and Chris coming to the party?” “I _____________, but Chris _________.”
6. I don’t know whether to apply for the job or not. Do you think I _______________?
7. “Please don’t tell anybody what I said.” “Don’t worry. I _______________.”
8. “You never listen to me.” “Yes, I _____________ !”
9. “Can you play a musical instrument?” “ No, but I wish I ________________.”
10. “Please help me.” “I’m sorry. I ________ if I __________, but I ________________.”
49.2 You never agree with Alex. Answer in the way shown.
1. I’m hungry. ______________________________
You are? I’m not.
2. I’m not tired. ______________________________
You aren’t? I am.
3. I like baseball. ______________________________ You
4. I didn’t like the movie. ______________________________
5. I’ve never been to South America. ______________________________
6. I thought the exam was easy. ______________________________
49.3 You are talking to Lisa. If you’re in the same position as Lisa, reply with So . . . Or
Neither . . . As in the first example. Otherwise, ask questions as in the second example.
1. I feel really tired. ______________________________
So do I.
2. I’m working hard. ______________________________
You are? What are you doing?
3. I watched TV last night. ______________________________ You
4. I won’t be at home tomorrow. ______________________________
5. I like to read. I read a lot. ______________________________
6. I’d like to live somewhere else. ______________________________
7. I can’t go out tonight. ______________________________
49.4 In these conversations, you are B. Read the information in parentheses and then
answer with I think so, I hope not, etc.
1. (You don’t like rain.)
I hope not.
A: Is it going to rain? B: (hope) ________________________________.
2. (You’re not sure Sarah will get the job she applied for, but her chances look pretty
good.)
A: Do you think Sarah will get the job? B: (guess) _______________________________.
3. (You’re not sure whether Amy is married – probably not.)
A: Is Amy married? B: (think) _________________________________.
4. (You need more money quickly.)
A: Do you think you’ll get a raise soon? B: (hope) ______________________________.
5. (You’re a hotel desk clerk. The hotel is full.)
A: Do you have a room for tonight? B: (afraid) ________________________________.
6. (You’re at a party. You have to leave early.)
A: Do you have to leave already? B: (afraid) ___________________________________.
49.4 In these conversations, you are B. Read the information in parentheses and then
answer with I think so, I hope not, etc. continuation . . .
7. (You are going to a party. You can’t stand John.)
A: Do you think John will be at the party? B: (hope) ____________________________.
8. (You’re not sure what time the concert is – probably 7:30.)
A: Is the concert at 7:30? B: (think) _____________________________________.
9. (Ann normally works everyday, Monday to Friday. Tomorrow is Wednesday.)
A: Is Ann working tomorrow? B: (suppose) __________________________________.
