A helping verb helps add meaning to other verbs. A helping verb cannot stand alone. A helping verb is always followed by the main verb.

Read these sentences:

• Arnold was writing on a piece of paper.

• He is enjoying the game.

In the sentences above, the be verbs was and is are followed not by a noun or an adjective but by action words (writing and enjoying) or main verbs.

In these sentences, the forms of the verb be - was and is - are helping verbs.

It is followed by the main verbs - writing and enjoying.