Greetings, dear students! Today, let’s dive into an intriguing aspect of the English language – the use of ‘do’ and ‘does’ for emphasis in sentences. We’ll explore this concept by delving into a question raised by our very own Kesari Prakash from Maharashtra, India, and the insightful response from Jonathan of the LearnEnglish team.
The Simple Present Tense and Auxiliary ‘Do’ and ‘Does’
In the Simple Present Tense, we often use ‘do’ and ‘does’ as auxiliary verbs to emphasize positive sentences and commands. For example, ‘I do speak’ and ‘He does come.’ This is a common and accepted usage of these auxiliary verbs.
Emphasizing with ‘Do’ as a Main Verb
Now, let’s venture into the less conventional territory. Prakash questioned whether ‘do’ and ‘does’ can be used for emphasis when ‘do’ functions as a main verb. An example of this would be sentences like:
“He does do.”
These sentences may sound unusual, but they are, in fact, grammatically correct. Jonathan clarifies that when ‘do’ is used as a main verb, it requires an object or a complement to make sense. For instance:
2. He does do (a good job).
3. Do do (that).
These sentences, though not commonly used in daily conversation, demonstrate the grammatical validity of using ‘do’ for emphasis in this context.
Emphasizing Commands with ‘Do’ and ‘Does’
What about using ‘do’ for emphasis in commands? Prakash also inquired about this. Jonathan confirms that you can indeed use ‘do’ in commands like:
In conclusion, while it might seem unusual to use ‘do’ and ‘does’ for emphasis in certain sentences, it is grammatically correct. Remember that ‘do’ as a main verb needs an object or complement to make sense. These nuances might not be prevalent in everyday conversation, but understanding them can deepen your grasp of English grammar.
So, don’t hesitate to experiment with these forms for emphasis in your English language journey. After all, learning involves exploring the language’s intricacies, and Prakash’s curiosity has illuminated an interesting facet of English grammar.
Keep learning, keep exploring, and keep loving the English language!
Warm regards,
Kesari Prakash, Maharashtra, India.
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