Add do, does, or did plus the base verb to a sentence that would normally have no auxiliary, to create strong emphasis, contradiction, or insistence, as in I do like your new haircut or you said I never listen, but I do listen. Do plus the base verb also forms an insistent imperative, as in do come in and sit down.
Grammar Rule
Do/does/did + base verb adds emphasis, contradiction, or insistence to a sentence that would normally have no auxiliary.
Emphatic Do/Does/Did: Rules and Examples
| Use | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis/contradiction | do/does/did + base verb | I do like your new haircut. She does work very hard. |
| Contradicting a negative | do/does/did + base verb | You said I never listen, but I do listen. |
| Insistent imperative | Do + base verb | Do come in and sit down. |
Remember: do/does/did + base verb only, never conjugated twice; used for emphasis, contradiction, or insistent imperatives.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using emphatic do, does, or did correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
B2-39. Emphatic Do/Does/Did
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does do/does/did plus the base verb express?
Strong emphasis, contradiction, or insistence, as in I do like your new haircut.
How do you contradict a negative statement using this structure?
Use do/does/did plus the base verb, as in you said I never listen, but I do listen.
How do you form an insistent imperative?
Use Do plus the base verb, as in do come in and sit down.
Can the verb be conjugated twice in this structure?
No, only do/does/did carries the tense; the main verb stays in its base form.