Do Does Did Done - English Grammar (2024)

English Grammar

The word DO appears a lot in English.

This is because it can be a verb TO DO (Do / Does / Did / Done) and can also be an AUXILIARY verb (Do / Does / Did).

The Verb - To Do

The verb TO DO has four forms.

Present Tense: Do / Does
Past Tense: Did
Past Participle: Done

TO DO - Present Tense - (Do / Does)

The present tense of TO DO is:

I / you / we / they - DO
he / she / it - DOES

I do my laundry on Saturdays.
They do their chores when they arrive home.
He does nothing all day.
She does charity work when she has time.

TO DO - Past Tense - (Did)

The past tense of DO is DID for all subjects:

I / you / we / they / he / she / it - DID

I did my homework in record time.
We did everything we could to help.
He did a somersault on the trampoline

TO DO - Past Participle - (Done)

The past participle of DO is DONE. Remember that past participles are accompanied by TO HAVE or TO BE (in the correct tense):

I have done my homework.
He has done a good job.
The video will show you how it is done.
The report was done on time.

TO DO - To replace a verb

We sometimes use the verb DO to replace a verb when the meaning is clear or obvious. This replacement is more common in informal spoken English:

Do I need to do my hair? (do = brush or comb)
Have you done the dishes yet? (done = washed)
I'll do the kitchen if you do the lawns (do = clean, do = mow)

DO vs DOES in Questions

To make a question in the Simple Present Tense in English we normally put the auxiliary Do or Does at the beginning of the question before the subject.

Affirmative: You speak Arabic.
Question: Do you speak Arabic?

You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to change it into a question. We use Do when the subject is I, you, we or they.

Affirmative: He speaks Arabic.
Question: Does he speak Arabic?

When the subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at the beginning to make the affirmative sentence a question. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the question.

DID in Questions

To make a question in the Past Tense in English we normally put the auxiliary DID at the beginning of the question or before the main subject.

DID is used with regular AND irregular verbs in English.
(Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can)

Both Do and Does in present tense questions become Did in past tense questions. Compare the following:

Present: Do they live in Spain?
Past: Did they live in Spain?

The main verb (live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DID shows that the question is in the past tense.

NOTICE: The only difference between a question in the present tense and a question in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.

Examples of DID in questions:

Did you visit a museum while you were there?
Did the bus arrive late?
Did she like the surprise?
Why did you say that?

DON'T - DOESN'T - Negative Sentences

To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't in the present sentence.

Don't and Doesn't are used in negative sentences with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (Can, might, should etc.).

Affirmative: You speak Spanish.
Negative: You don't speak Spanish.

You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they.

DIDN'T (DID NOT) - Negative Sentences

In the past tense Didn't is used to make a negative sentence for all subjects (I / you / we / they / he / she / it). This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English. (Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can)

Compare the following:

Present: They don't live in Japan.
Past: They didn't live in Japan.

The main verb (live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DIDN'T shows that the sentence is negative AND in the past tense.

NOTICE: The only difference between a negative sentence in the present tense and a negative sentence in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.

Examples of sentences using Didn't:

I didn't want to go
He didn't study for the exam.
We didn't have time to finish the report.
They didn't like the movie.

DO - For Emphasis

Sometimes Do / Does / Did are used in positive sentences to give special emphasis. Note that when speaking, the word (do/does/did) is stressed.

I do want to go. (We put stress on the word DO to emphasize that we want to go)
You do need to take an umbrella.
He does like spinach. (You may be surprised but yes, he likes spinach)
I did study. (Contrary to what you may believe... yes, I studied)

Notice that Did is used for positive sentences in the past tense and that the main verb is in its base form.

Do can also appear at the beginning of an imperative sentence to emphasize the importance of that imperative verb.

Do call when you arrive.
Do tell him that I will be waiting for him.

Next activity

Try our interactive game about the difference between Do, Does, Did and Done.

See our notes about Do vs Does and Don't vs Doesn't.

See the difference between Do and Make.

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As a language enthusiast with a deep understanding of English grammar, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical application, making me well-equipped to elucidate the nuances of the English language.

Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:

Verb - To Do:
- The verb "to do" has four forms: Do (present tense), Does (present tense for he/she/it), Did (past tense), and Done (past participle).
- Examples:
  - Present Tense: "I do my laundry on Saturdays."
  - Past Tense: "I did my homework in record time."
  - Past Participle: "I have done my homework."
Using "Do" to Replace a Verb:
- "Do" can be used to replace a verb when the meaning is clear or obvious, especially in informal spoken English.
- Examples: "Do I need to do my hair?" (do = brush or comb), "Have you done the dishes yet?" (done = washed)
Do vs Does in Questions:
- In the Simple Present Tense, "Do" or "Does" is used to form questions. "Do" is used for subjects I/you/we/they, and "Does" is used for he/she/it.
- Examples: "Do you like my shirt?" and "Does he drive to work?"
DID in Questions:
- In the Past Tense, "Did" is used to form questions, regardless of the subject. It replaces "Do" or "Does" used in present tense questions.
- Examples: "Did you visit a museum while you were there?" and "Did she like the surprise?"
Negative Sentences with DO and DOES:
- "Don't" and "Doesn't" are used to form negative sentences in the present tense.
- Examples: "You don't speak Spanish" and "He doesn't want to get out of bed."
DIDN'T (DID NOT) - Negative Sentences:
- "Didn't" is used to make negative sentences in the past tense, replacing "Don't" or "Doesn't."
- Examples: "I didn't want to go" and "They didn't live in Japan."
DO - For Emphasis:
- "Do," "Does," and "Did" can be used in positive sentences for emphasis. Stress is placed on these words when speaking.
- Examples: "I do want to go" and "He does like spinach."
DO - At the Beginning of Imperative Sentences:
- "Do" can appear at the beginning of an imperative sentence to emphasize the importance of the imperative verb.
- Examples: "Do call when you arrive" and "Do tell him that I will be waiting for him."

This breakdown provides a comprehensive understanding of the concepts related to "Do," "Does," "Did," and "Done" in English grammar. If you have any further questions or if there's a specific aspect you'd like to explore in more detail, feel free to ask.