Emphatic do and stressed auxiliaries
I do like it, she did call, I have finished, do come in: do, does and did in a positive sentence.
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In a positive sentence, English can add do, does or did before the verb to make it stronger: I do like your new haircut. In speech, do is stressed. We use it to say that something is true when someone doubts it, to contrast it with something else, or to sound more polite or warm. When the sentence already has an auxiliary or a modal (have, be, can, will), we stress that word instead and add nothing.
Normal | Emphatic |
|---|---|
I like it. | I do like it. |
She works hard. | She does work hard. |
He called. | He did call. |
I've finished. | I have finished. |
She can swim. | She can swim. |
Do, does, did + the base form
The form is the same as in a question or a negative: do / does / did + the verb without any ending. Does takes the -s, and did shows the past, so the main verb doesn't.
- I do like your new haircut. It really suits you.
- She does work hard, even if her results aren't great.
- I did lock the door. I remember doing it.
- Incorrect: She did called you, but you didn't answer.
- Correct: She did call you, but you didn't answer.After did, use the base form: call.
- Incorrect: He does works at the weekend sometimes.
- Correct: He does work at the weekend sometimes.Does already has the -s, so work has no ending.
Saying "it is true"
A common use is to correct someone, or to answer a doubt. The stressed do says: "you think it isn't so, but it is".
- "You never help me." "That's not fair. I do help you!"
- "Did you post the letter?" "Yes, I did post it. This morning."
- "I don't think he really loves her." "Oh, he does love her."
Contrast: I do understand, but ...
Do can accept one point before you add another, often with but. It shows that you take the first point seriously.
- I do understand how you feel, but we can't change the plan now.
- We did enjoy the trip, but the hotel was disappointing.
- It does seem strange that nobody noticed.
When there is already an auxiliary
If the sentence has be, an auxiliary have, or a modal (can, will, must, should ...), don't add do. Stress the word that is already there. A stressed auxiliary is never contracted: I have finished, not I've finished.
- "You haven't finished." "I have finished! Look."
- "She isn't coming, is she?" "She is coming. She's just late."
- "I can't do it." "Yes, you can!"
- Incorrect: I do can swim, but not very well.
- Correct: I can swim, but not very well.Can is already there, so stress can and don't add do.
- Incorrect: I do am tired. I'm not pretending.
- Correct: I am tired. I'm not pretending.With be, stress am, is or are.
Do + imperative
Do before an imperative makes an invitation or a request warmer and more polite. It sounds friendly and a little formal, and it is more common in British English. It is also the only way to use emphatic do with be.
- Do come in and sit down.
- Do help yourself to some cake.
- Do be careful on the roads. They're icy.
In formal apologies, thanks and invitations
In formal speech and writing, do makes an apology or thanks sound more sincere.
- We do apologise for the delay.
- I do hope you'll be able to join us.
In emails, you can also show emphasis with words like really or certainly: I really appreciate your help.