Helping verbs

Is, am, are,
Was, were,
Be, being, been,
Have, has, had,
May, might,
Can, could,
Will, would,
Shall, should.

I threaten from time to time to use my blog as a weapon in the war for the English language. (In case you are not aware, our language is under attack. I see and hear casualties daily, and my heart goes out to the poor language!) I'm not sure I'm ready to start that just yet, but since I do have an English degree, I think it's fair to talk about language every now and then.

Last night I was lying in bed, and somehow because of the conversation my husband and I had just had, I was thinking about the verb "should," and then this little list from seventh grade English class popped into my head.

The auxiliary verbs, or "helping verbs," as we called them, could be used to tie in with the volunteer concept from the last post (they don't call attention to themselves, but we couldn't get along without them...)

Or I could write about how we counselors work hard to get people to check their use of the word "should," which often isn't very helpful in the ways it gets used.

Or we could look at the etymology of these words, in which case I would have to do some research. But I do like the way they keep us connected to our Anglo-Saxon roots. (You know, "where hast thou been?" "Wherefore art thou?" and that sort of thing.)

And it would be fascinating to look at how auxiliary verbs in other languages are similar to and different from these we use in English.

But for now I'm not going to write about any of that. I'm just having fun saying "is am are was were be being been have has had may might can could will would shall should" whenever it comes to mind. It's kind of soothing, kind of reassuring, kind of empowering, somehow.

And I'd love comments on what lists you remember from earlier years that have stuck with you throughout time. Or poems, or formulas, or whatever. In English or other languages. Something you're not sure why you remember, but enjoy remembering. Like why did the first verse and chorus of "Guantanamera" stay with me from sixth grade? I have no idea, but I have fun singing it.

(And if you'd promise to start sharing my blog with all your friends and co-workers, I would consider arming people to fight back in the war for the language! In other words, I would explain the common mistakes I hear and how my dear readers can keep themselves from falling prey to these attacks. Maybe together we could make a difference!)