Do vs Does vs Did

Do you always get confused with 'do', 'does', and 'did'? Well, no more! Today you are going to learn the difference between them. The verb 'to do' often confuse a lot of students because it can be used as both action verbs and auxiliary or helping verbs in English. So first, let's see the verb 'to do' as an action verb.

'To do' Action Verb

In some sentences, the verb 'do' represents an action just like the verbs- walk, talk, play, eat, write, etc. Here is the table of the subject-verb agreement using 'to do' as an action verb:

Note: Always use 'do' with the pronouns I, you, we, and they. Use 'does' with the pronouns he, she, it, and a name.

Let's see some examples

Let's see some examples to understand these verbs in a much better way. In the following examples, all verbs are in bold format.

Present tense:

1. I do this every day.
2. You do a lot of work these days.
3. We do a lot of work here.
4. They do their laundry every day.
5. He does homework every day,
6. She does her taxes on time.
7. Sam does nothing all day.

Note: In the above examples, all bold words are action verbs.

Past tense:

1. I did my homework in time yesterday.
2. You did a great job on this project.
3. We did a magic trick yesterday.
4. They did everything they could to help us.
5. He did a somersault on the trampoline.
6. She did ballet after school last month.
7. Sam did a spin yesterday.

Note: In the above examples, all bold words are action verbs.

Perfect form:

1. I have done this work. (have= helping/auxiliary verb, done=action/main verb)
2. I had done this work. (had= helping/auxiliary verb, done=action/main verb)
3. You have done nothing all morning.
4. You had done nothing before I met you.
5. We have done a great job.
6. We had done a great job in the event.
7. They have done a good job.
8. They had done a good job when I arrived.
9. He has done it.
10. He had done it.
11. She has done nothing all day.
12. She had done nothing that day.
13. Sam has done his homework.
14. Sam had done his homework when you called.

Note: In the above examples, all bold words are action verbs and helping verbs. So, we get to see 'do' as a main/action verb with a helping/auxiliary verb.

Continuos form:

1. I am doing laundry. (am=helping verb, doing=main verb)
2. I was doing laundry. (was= helping verb, doing=main verb)
3. You are doing your homework.
4. You were doing your homework.
5. We are doing homework.
6. We were doing homework.
7. They are doing a great job.
8. They were doing a great job.
9. He is doing homework.
10. He was doing homework.
11. She is doing laundry.
12. She was doing laundry.
13. Sam is doing the dishes.
14. Sam was doing the dishes.

Note: In the above examples, all bold words are action verbs and helping verbs. So, we get to see 'do' as a main/action verb with a helping/auxiliary verb.

To do- to replace a verb

Sometimes, we use the verb 'do' to replace another verb in the sentence, especially when its meaning is quite evident and the sentence makes sense even without it. See some examples:

1. Do I need to do my hair? (do= brush or comb, action/main verb), Do I need to brush my hair?)
2. Have you done the dishes yet? (done= washed, Have you washed the dishes yet?)
3. I'll do the kitchen. (do=clean, I'll clean the kitchen.)

'To do' Auxiliary or Helping Verb

The verb 'to do' is also used as an auxiliary or helping verb accompanied by another verb to make a negative sentence, question, or to add emphasis. Let's see all of these types of sentences.

Negative Sentences

Let's see how to make negative sentences using do/does/did.

Note: 'Do not' is written as 'don't', 'did not' is written as 'didn't', and 'does not' is written as 'doesn't.

Examples:

1. I don't sleep late. (don't = helping verb, sleep=action verb)
2. I didn't sleep well last night. (didn't= helping verb, sleep=action verb)
3. You don't go to school every day. (don't= helping verb, go=action verb)
4. You didn't go to school yesterday.
5. We don't sleep in the afternoon.
6. We didn't sleep while traveling.
7. They don't sleep late.
8. They didn't sleep yesterday.
9. He doesn't sit out in the sun.
10. He didn't go to the party.
11. She doesn't sleep in the afternoon.
12. She didn't sleep yesterday.
13. It doesn't rain here.
14. It didn't rain last night.
15. Sam doesn't visit his parents.
16. Sam didn't visit his parents last year.

Note: In all the above examples, 'don't/didn't/doesn't' are helping verbs. Both helping verbs and action verbs are in bold.

Questions

Let's see how to make questions using do/does/did.

Examples:

1. Do I look nice? (do= helping/auxiliary verb and look=main verb)
2. Did I make a mistake? (did= helping/auxiliary verb and make= main verb)
3. Do you know English?
4. Did you run here?
5. Do we run fast?
6. Did we drink enough water?
7. Do they drink juice?
8. Did they drink enough water?
9. Does he eat meat?
10. Did he eat meat at the party last night?
11. Does she eat meat?
12. Did she eat meat yesterday?
13. Does it look nice?
14. Did it smell nice when you ate the cake?
15. Does Sam know English?
16. Did Sam behave well in the class yesterday?
17. Don't you ever visit your parents?
18. Didn't Sam call you?
19. Where do you want to send the package?
20. Why does she always dance in my class?
21. How much do these papers cost?
22. Why don't you ever clean your room?
23. When did they arrive home?

Note: In all the above examples, 'don't/didn't/doesn't' are helping verbs. Both helping verbs and action verbs are in bold.

Emphasis

Sometimes, do/does/did are used to put emphasis in the sentences. See some examples:

1. I do want to go. (here, we use 'do' to put stress that I really want to go)
2. You do need to take an umbrella.
3. He does like spinach.
4. I did study for this test.
5. Do call when you arrive.
6. Do tell him that I will be waiting for him.