Final answer:
In English, multiple auxiliary verbs follow a specific order in relation to the main verb, forming a verb phrase. Canonical order is a guideline, not an absolute rule, and should only be deviated from for specific reasons like emphasis. Understanding parts of speech aids in constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Step-by-step explanation:
When constructing sentences with multiple auxiliary or helping verbs, these auxiliaries typically follow a specific order in relation to the main verb. The verb phrase usually consists of the main verb and one or more helping verbs. In Example 3, 'I could finish my essay by eight o'clock tonight,' 'could' is the auxiliary that accompanies the main verb 'finish' to form the verb phrase.
Auxiliaries are an integral part of the verb and are not to be considered separate adverbs. When it comes to canonical order in English writing, while it is often maintained, it is not an absolute rule. Canonical order should only be broken for clear reasons, such as to add emphasis or manage the flow of information within a sentence.
Understanding how to identify subjects, verbs, direct objects, and indirect objects will also assist in ensuring that the sentence structure is coherent and grammatically correct. Auxiliaries like 'must' and 'ought to' do not have past forms and are typically fixed in their position in relation to other verbs.
In revising sentences, it is recommended to strengthen verbs by eliminating weak or wordy structures, like 'there are' and 'it is,' and to review and identify the various parts of speech, including nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs, to create clear and effective sentences.