Eiiiii Yu (i’m super funny, ain’t I? It sounds like “Hey you”), welcome abroad, ahoy! So tell me, are you excited to your first super duper awesome lesson?
1 - Ok, so what the heck is “do”?
This verb has two super important functions: an auxiliary (helping verb) and a main verb.
Let’s dive deep into it!
2 - Functions
2.1 - Auxiliary Verb
When the verb do is acting as an auxiliary, it always need another verb along with it, because it’s just a dummy word. (形式助動詞)
2.1.1 - In Questions
To form questions we use it before the subject.
Examples:
- Do you like pizza?
- Does he play football?
- Does Yu likes to eat ramen?
- Why did you do that? 你爲甚麽那麽做？ (simple past)
- Why don’t we have lunch together on Friday? 我們週五何不一起吃午飯呢？
IMPORTANTRemember this pattern:
Do/Does/Did + Subject + Base Verb + Complement
2.1.2 - In Negatives
Ok, to give a negative meaning we use the do not, it can be written as “don’t” as well.
Examples:
- I don’t like coffee.
- He doesn’t watch TV.
- Yu doesn’t like seafood.
- I don’t usually drink coffee at night because it keeps me awake.
- Don’t (you) speak to me like that! （你）別和我這樣說話！
This last example is an negative order, we can omit “you” from the sentence!
2.1.3 - For Emphasis
Ok, another function is that we can use it to give emphasis, making it stronger, even in affirmative sentences.
Examples:
- I do like chocolate!
- She does want to come with us.
- “Can I buy stamps here?” “Well, we do sell them, but we don’t have any at the moment.” 「我能在這兒買些郵票嗎？」「我們這裡確實賣郵票，但現在沒貨。」
Remember that sometimes you can replace this do with really. I think do is more formal, so if you want to sound more natural, you can use really.
Examples:
- I really like chocolate!
- She really wants to come with us.
On the last example “can i buy…”, we can’t replace for really, because do is used to gives an idea of emphasis/confirmation.
2.2 - Main Verb
Meaning: to perform, take part in, or achieve something
Examples:
- I do my homework every day.
- She does the laundry on Sundays.
- That was a really stupid thing to do. 那麽做真是太愚蠢了。
- What are you doing over the weekend? 這週末你準備做甚麽？
- What do¹ you do² (for a living)? (= What is your job?) 你做甚麽工作？
- What can I do for you? (= How can I help you?) 我能爲您做些甚麽？
¹ - auxiliary verb
² - main verb
3 - Cheat Sheet
3.1 - Present Simple
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | do | don’t | Do I … ? |
| You | do | don’t | Do you … ? |
| We | do | don’t | Do we … ? |
| They | do | don’t | Do they … ? |
| He | does | doesn’t | Does he … ? |
| She | does | doesn’t | Does she … ? |
| It | does | doesn’t | Does it … ? |
3.2 - Past Simple
| Person | Positive | Negative | Question Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| All persons | did | didn’t | Did … ? |
4 - Exercises
Ok, I don’t know if you want to do some exercises, but I think it would be really good because it’s a good habit. As we progress, we can do some fun exercises. What do you think?
I think these exercises would be cool if you handwrite them. I created a WhatsApp group, and it would be really good if you could share your answers there with me!
1 - Fill in the blanks
- She ___ her homework every night.
- ___ you like chocolate?
- He ___n’t play basketball.
- We ___ our best in class.
- What ___ you want to eat?
2 - Correct the mistakes
- He don’t like apples.
- Do she play the guitar?
- I does my job well.
3 - Make Questions
Example: You like pizza -> Do you like pizza?
- You play tennis
- She works here
- They live in China
4 - Rewrite the sentences using do/does/did or really to add emphasis.
Example: You understand this topic.
You do understand this topic.
You really understand this topic.
- I like watching movies.
- She wants to travel next year.
- They enjoy playing soccer.
- He finished the project on time.
- You understand this topic.
5 - References:
Bonus:
Since we are talking about the verb do, listen to this song, I really like it a lot.
Don’t Let Me Down The Beatles
Don’t let me down (4x)
Nobody ever loved me like she does
Oh, she does, yeah, she does
And if somebody loved me like she does
Oh, she does, yes, she does
Don’t let me down (4x)
I’m in love for the first time
Don’t you know it’s gonna last
It’s a love that lasts forever
It’s a love that has no past
Don’t let me down (4x)
And from the first time
That she really done me
Oh, she done me, she done me good
I guess nobody ever really done me
Oh, she done me, she done me good
Don’t let me down (4x)
That’s it for today, see you tomorrow! ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎