Basic Auxiliary Verbs with Examples Using Simple Mnemonic Device

Mnemonic devices is the simplest of all other memorization techniques such as memory palace, mind mapping, chunking and peg system. My CUD SHOW(pronounced My Good Show) is one such mnemonic to remember the auxiliary verbs’ list. Students, teachers, grammarians, business executives and tutors can now remember the auxiliary verbs in a jiffy.
Modal verbs and helping verbs are other common names used for auxiliary verbs. They are called helping verbs as it helps the other verbs in a sentence to add more details to a sentence.
My CUD SHOW mnemonic stands for:
• May
• Can-could
• Used to
• Do
• Should-shall
• Have
• Ought to
• Will

May Verbs Examples

"May" verb is used to ask permission and to express possibility. In fact, "May" is polite way of asking permission in formal business scenarios. "Can" is lighter than "May" and can be used to ask permission in informal situations.
Examples:
• Jack may get a call from the client today evening. (possiblity)
• May I know when the business meeting is going to start? (permission)
• May I use the meeting room, please? (permission)

Difference Between Can and Could

Can is ability could is possibility (CACOP mnemonic).
Examples:
1. I can finish this task. (Ability)
2. Use of polite words in business could bring more profit. (Possibility)

Used To Verbs Examples

“Used to” verb is sometimes called semi-modals because it acts as both helping and main verbs depending on the sentences and it indicates past actions.
Examples:
• “I used to work in this business establishments.”
• “I used to use powerpoint slides in business presentations”
• “I used to conduct corporate meetings.”

“Do” Verbs in Negative Sentences

“Do” verbs act as a modal or a helping verb in negative sentences.
1. I do not know how to prepare a business presentation
2. He doesn’t know how this business model works.

Should Verbs Examples

"Should" verb is lighter than the verb “must” and it is used to show obligation. For example, if a business meeting request says, “You should be on time for the meeting”. It is lighter. Even if a person enters late to the meeting, he/she might be allowed. But, when it says, “You must be on time for the meeting”, it is stronger. The person who comes late will not be allowed for the meeting. It is also used to make recommendations or give advice.
More examples:
1. I should finish this work by today evening. (obligation)
2. You should make better business presentations by using colorful powerpoint slides. (advice)

Have Verbs Examples

"Have",as a helping verb, is commonly used to express necessity
Examples
1. I had to help my manager in a business presentation
2. They have to bring the all the business sales report by tomorrow evening.

Ought to verbs Examples

Ought to verbs simply follows the same rules of "should" verbs that expresses obligation or giving advice.
Examples;
1. I ought to bring all the customer survey report to the meeting tomorrow. (Obligation)
2. You ought to talk to the team members to build good rapport with the team. (Advice)

Will Verb Examples

Will verb indicates future predictions or promises.
Examples:
1. I will finish the task tomorrow. (Promise)
2. They think the business presentation will convince the new clients. (Prediction)
Using mnemonics while studying as two advantages: one, it stays longer in the memory. Two, it takes only few moments to recall the information. My CUD SHOW mnemonic pops up whenever one wants to remember the auxiliary verbs’ list.