Auxiliary Verb 'do'

In this article we are going to study about the Auxiliary Verb ‘do’.

‘do’ as helping verb and main verb

‘do’ can function as helping verb.

I do know him. (do – helping verb; know – main verb)

‘do’ can also be used as the main verb in a sentence.

I already did my homework. (did – working here as main verb)

Uses of ‘do’

Use Case 1: Negative and Interrogative sentences

Various forms of auxiliary verb ‘do’ are used in the formation of negative and interrogative sentences.

I do not play cricket.

Do you play cricket?

Use Case 2: To Emphasize

The various forms of ‘do’ are also used to emphasize the affirmative nature of a statement.

I told her not to cheat, but she did cheat.

You do look sick.

Use Case 3: To Persuade

‘do’ makes a request or invitation more persuasive in imperative sentences. In such sentences, ‘do’ is strongly stressed.

Oh, do come to the party!

Use Case 4: To avoid repetition of Verbs

The auxiliary ‘do’ is used to avoid repetition of a previous ordinary verb.

Do you like her? - Yes, I do.

You met her, didn’t you?

She drinks milk and so do you.

Use Case 5: As an alternative to certain Verbs

We can use ‘do’ instead of another verb to talk about certain jobs (in informal English).

Can you do the dishes before we go to bed? (do the dishes = clean the dishes)

Aren’t you going to do your hair? It looks untidy. (do your hair = comb/brush your hair)

Use Case 6: To talk about general activities

We also use ‘do’ when we talk about general or indefinite rather than particular activities.

I guess John has done something to the laptop. It’s not booting up.

Did you do anything about the flat tyre?

We sometimes specify particular actions after first introducing the actions in general with ‘do’.

I did a lot of work today. I finished my homework, I ordered some new books…

Make Vs. Do

Concept 1

We use ‘make’ (rather than ‘do’) when we want to talk about constructing or creating something.

The company I work for makes toys.

She has made some fresh peppermint tea for you guys.

Concept 2

We use ‘make’ with certain nouns, particularly when we are talking about an action that someone performs.

The nouns commonly used with ‘make’ are: a noise, an offer, an announcement, an application, an arrangement, an attempt, a choice, a comment, a contribution, a decision, a difference, a discovery, an enquiry, an excuse, a habit of doing something, a list, a journey, a mistake, money, a (phone) call, a plan, a point, a promise, a remark, a sound, a speech, a suggestion.

I will make an offer that he won’t be able to refuse.

Make a choice quickly. We don’t have all day.

Concept 3

We can use ‘make’ to say how successful someone was or would be in a particular job or position, or how successful something was or would be for a particular purpose.

You would have made an excellent graphic designer.

That new room would (or will) make a good place to install the home theatre.

Extra Books and Tools

If you prefer to learn via books, or want some good English Grammar books for reference purposes, you may read this article which enlists some of the books recommended by us.