Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #302 of 305

Emphasis with Do and Did

Add do/does/did for stress.

Examples

  • I do like it!
  • She did call you.

Key rules

  • Add do, does or did before the base verb to stress it (I do like it! She did call you)
  • Use it to contradict or correct (You didn't call. I did call!)
  • Does and did show tense, so the main verb stays base
  • It is not used in questions or negatives for emphasis

Common mistakes

  • She did called you → She did call you
  • He does likes it → He does like it
💡 Tip: Stress the auxiliary when speaking.
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Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.