OVERVIEW

On this page, you will learn about statements with the auxiliary verbs should and would.

First, read the text and study the chart.
Then, listen to audio of the text.

READ & LISTEN

Read:

Auxiliary verbs are also called "helping verbs". They are not the main verb or action of the sentence. They must be used with a main verb to form a complete sentence. It goes before the main verb. You always use the base form of the main verb after the auxiliary verb.

The auxiliary verb should is very useful. Use should when you want to say that you need to do something that is important or when you say what you think is the best option or idea in a situation.

Use the following pattern with this auxiliary verb:

Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Base Verb + Rest of Sentence

Study the grammar chart to learn about how to form statements using should.

Listen:

Study:

Subject	+ Auxiliary Verb	+ Base Verb	+ Rest of Sentence
I	should	save	more money.
You
He
She
We
They

Read:

The auxiliary verb would can be used in many ways. One of the most common is in the helpful expression "Would like to". It is a polite way to say "I want".

Study the following examples:

Subject	+ Would	+ Base Verb	+ Rest of Sentence
I	would like to	spend	less money.
He	would like to	save	more money.
We	would like to	make	a budget.
They	would like to	have	better housing.

Listen:

Read:

How can you ask a yes or no question with should? You simply reverse the order of subject and auxiliary verb. The main verb doesn't change.

Use the following pattern to form yes or no questions with should:

Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Base Verb + Rest of Sentence

Study the grammar chart to learn about how to ask questions using should.

Listen:

Study:

Auxiliary Verb

+ Subject

+ Base Verb

+ Rest of Sentence

Should

I

you

he

she

we

they

save

more money?

Read:

When you ask questions with question words, you will get more information.

Who asks about people.

What asks about things.

When asks about time.

Where asks about locations or places.

Why asks about reasons.

How asks about manner or quality.

Use the same pattern as with yes or no questions. Add the question word at the beginning.

Question Word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Base Verb + Rest of Sentence

Study the grammar chart. Learn how to form questions with should using question words. Use these questions when you discuss your budget in class.

Question Word	+ Auxiliary Verb	+ Subject	+ Main Verb	+ Rest of Sentence
Where	should	I	spend	more money?
How	should	you	save	more money?
Why	should	he	have	a budget?
When	should	we	make	our budget?

Listen: