Basic Details
Word: Auxiliary
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Giving extra help or support. In grammar, an auxiliary verb is a helping verb such as be, have or do.
Synonyms: supporting, extra, additional, backup
Antonyms: main, principal
How to Spell Auxiliary
Syllables: aux - il - ia - ry
Tricky part: There is only one l, with an i on each side of it, and the ending is iary. Auxilliary and auxillary are the classic mistakes.
Watch out for: auxilliary, auxilary, auxillary
Memory tip: Think of aux-i-l-i-ary as one l standing between two helpers, an i on each side. That is fitting for a word that means helping.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The hospital has an auxiliary generator for power cuts.
Example 2: In They have finished, have is an auxiliary verb.
Example 3: Auxiliary nurses help the senior staff on busy wards.
Fun Fact
The word comes from the Latin auxilium, help. In ancient Rome, the auxiliaries were soldiers from outside the citizen body who fought alongside the regular legions.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. necesary 2. secretery 3. temporery 4. auxiliary
a) needed or essential
b) lasting for only a short time
c) giving extra help or support
d) a person who handles letters and records in an office
Show answer
c) giving extra help or support. Auxiliary stands spelt properly; the others ought to be necessary, secretary and temporary.
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to auxiliary as used in the sentence:
The ship switched to its auxiliary engine during the storm.
a) spare
b) principal
c) reserve
d) backup
Show answer
b) principal. Auxiliary means extra or helping, so principal, meaning chief, is the opposite.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
aux_l_ary
a) e, i
b) i, i
c) i, e
d) l, i
Show answer
b) i, i. Each gap takes an i, one before the l and one after it.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In She has eaten her lunch, which word is the auxiliary verb?
a) has
b) eaten
c) lunch
d) her
Show answer
a) has
2. An auxiliary police force ____.
a) works only at night
b) replaces the army
c) helps the regular police
d) is made of judges
Show answer
c) helps the regular police
