Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 51 · B1

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.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

Auxiliary verbs instead of repeatingA3 screens of questions
Have you? / Isn't she? / Did it? to show interest or surpriseB1 screen of questions
So am I / Neither do IC3 screens of questions
I think so / I suppose so / I hope not etc.D2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

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."

Point A · Exercise 51.1 · part 1 of 3

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.).

  1. Example

    I wasn't hungry, but my brother was.

    AnswerI wasn't hungry, but my brother was.

  2. I enjoy cold weather, but Megan .

  3. "Is Rhys still at the gym?" "He at six, but he's probably on his way home by now."

  4. I haven't been abroad much, but my sister .

  5. Dev said he might ring tonight, but I don't think he .

Point A · Exercise 51.1 · part 2 of 3

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.).

  1. I can't decide whether to buy the flat or not. Do you think I ?

  2. "Please don't mention the broken vase to Gran." "Don't worry. I ."

  3. "You never help with the washing-up." "Yes, I !"

  4. I normally cycle to work, but yesterday I .

Point A · Exercise 51.1 · part 3 of 3

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.).

  1. "Do you think the trains will be late?" "They . Leave early just in case."

  2. "Are you and Nia coming to the quiz?" "I , but Nia ."

  3. "Please give me a lift to Bradford." "I'm sorry. I if I , but I ."

Point B of 4

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?"

Point B · Extra practice

Reply with a short question to show interest or surprise: Have you?, Isn't she?, Did it? and so on.

  1. "I've just seen Gareth in town." "? How is he?"

  2. "Rosie isn't at school today." "? Is she ill?"

  3. "It rained all week in Whitby." "? What a shame!"

Point C of 4

So am I / Neither do I

To say that the same is true of you or someone else, pair an auxiliary with so (after a positive) or neither (after a negative).

Watch the order: so / neither + auxiliary + subject, with the verb ahead of the subject.

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

nor can replace neither, and not ... either is a third option:

"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."

Point C · Exercise 51.2

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

  1. Example

    Amy: "I'm cold."

    Are you? I'm not.

    AnswerAre you? I'm not.

  2. Example

    Amy: "I don't like cooking."

    Don't you? I do.

    AnswerDon't you? I do.

  3. Amy: "I like jazz."

  4. Amy: "I didn't enjoy the concert."

  5. Amy: "I'm not hungry."

  6. Amy: "I thought the quiz was hard."

Point C · Exercise 51.3 · part 1 of 2

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).

  1. Example

    Tina: "I'm not sleepy."

    Neither am I.

    Example answerNeither am I.

  2. Example

    Tina: "I work at weekends."

    Do you? Where do you work?

    Example answerDo you? Where do you work?

  3. Tina: "I went to the cinema last night."

  4. Tina: "I won't be at work tomorrow."

  5. Tina: "I like gardening."

  6. Tina: "I'd like to live by the sea."

Point C · Exercise 51.3 · part 2 of 2

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).

  1. Tina: "I can't come out tonight."

  2. Tina: "I'm looking forward to Christmas."

Point D of 4

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)

I'm afraid so, I hope so and I guess so follow the same pattern.

The negatives usually look like this:

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

It is always 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."

Point D · Exercise 51.4 · part 1 of 2

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

  1. Example

    You do not like snow.

    Sam: "Is it going to snow?" (hope)

    I hope not.

    AnswerI hope not.

  2. You would very much like some time off.

    Sam: "Do you think you'll get a week off in August?" (hope)

  3. You are going to a wedding. You cannot stand Gavin.

    Sam: "Will Gavin be at the wedding?" (hope)

  4. You are not sure whether Priya has children, but she probably has not.

    Sam: "Has Priya got any children?" (think)

  5. Owen has worked in France for many years.

    Sam: "Does Owen speak French?" (suppose)

Point D · Exercise 51.4 · part 2 of 2

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

  1. You have to leave Sam's barbecue early.

    Sam: "Are you going already?" (afraid)

  2. You are not sure what time the match starts, but it is probably three o'clock.

    Sam: "What time's the match? Three?" (think)

  3. You are the receptionist at a dentist's. There are no appointments left today.

    Sam: "Have you got anything this afternoon?" (afraid)

Lesson 51 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Question tags (do you? isn't it? etc.)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Auxiliary verbs instead of repeating–Not checkedB. Have you? / Isn't she? / Did it? to show interest or surprise–Not checkedC. So am I / Neither do I–Not checkedD. I think so / I suppose so / I hope not etc.–Not checked