1. Improving Written Communication: “To Do” Verb Phrase Problems
Ted E. Johnston & Joe Old
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

2. English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)
Introduction
Verb phrases are little engines that “run” a sentence. When assembling this engine, as with any engine, we need to be sure that we use only the right parts in the proper order so the engine will run smoothly without malfunction.
This presentation will discuss the answers to the following questions about verb phrases constructed with “do,” “does,” “did.”
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

3. English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)
Topics to be covered
1. How does the “to do” helper function in the English verb system?
2. What problems can occur when using the “to do” helper?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

4. 1. The Function of the “To Do” Helper
The “to do” helper has no equivalent in Spanish, but English requires it in two contexts when no other helper is available:
1. We use “to do” to ask questions. We also have to observe special word order with questions. Notice the order:
Did your mother enjoy the movie?
2. We use the “to do” helper to make negative statements.
She didn’t like the movie.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

5. 1. The Function of the “To Do” Helper
The “to do” helper is also used in other contexts:
3. The “to do” helper is an optional way of adding emphasis to a statement.
Excuse me, but she did like that movie.
4. The “to do” helper is an abbreviated way to refer to a previous verb that doesn’t have a helper or that has a “to do” helper.
She works hard, and so does he.
Luis didn’t go, and neither did she.
5. In tag questions, the “to do” helper refers to a previous verb that doesn’t have a helper or that has a “to do” helper. If the previous verb is negative, the tag question will be positive, and vice versa.
Toby did [+] his homework, didn’t [–] he?
Toby didn’t [–] do his homework, did [+] he?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

6. 1 continued. The Function of the “To Do” Helper
Here are some more correct examples of the first 3 uses (the most common ones):
Question: Does the baby cry a lot?
Did the baby cry a lot?
Negative: The baby doesn’t cry a lot.
The baby didn’t cry a lot!
Emphasis: Yes, the baby does cry a lot!
Yes, the baby did cry a lot!
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

7. 1 continued. The Function of the “To Do” Helper
Verb phrases constructed with the “to do” helper have only one pattern:
TO DO from + Main Verb BASE FORM
The base form is the infinitive without “to.” Thus, the base form of “to study” is “study.” Thus, the form of “to do” may vary, but the form of the main verb can vary!
Do all the students study?
This student doesn’t study.
Other students don’t study either.
Did those students study?
Those students didn’t study.
NEVER
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

8. Now do you understand how the “to do” helper should be used?
YES, I DO UNDERSTAND!
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

9. 2. Problems with “To Do”: Is this sentence correct?
He does understands!
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

10. 2 continued. Problems with “To Do”: How about this one?
Maybe he don’t understand.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

11. 2 continued: Problems with “To Do”: And what about this one?
He didn’t understood!
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

12. 2 continued: Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Three common problems with the “to do” helper have been shown above:
1. Error: He does understands.
“Understands” is the stand-alone verb used in the singular “He understands.” Here, however, no singular ending “-s” is needed with “understand” because “does” already bears that “-s.” Only the base form can follow.
Correct: He does understand.
2. Error: He don’t understand.
“Don’t understand” would be a correct verb phrase for a plural subject. Using “don’t” with singular nouns is common in some dialects but is not acceptable in academic contexts.
Correct: He doesn’t understand.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

13. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
3. Error: I thought he understood, he didn’t UNDERSTOOD.
This is the most common error with the “to do” helper. Some new speakers of English confuse “did” and “had” helpers. Although similar in appearance and function, verb phrases formed with them are different. Again, all forms of the “to do” helper are followed by the base form, and this is no exception. Contrast the models:
HAD + Past Participle but DID + Base Form
Correct: He HADn’t underSTOOD until that moment.
Correct: He DIDn’t underSTAND until that moment.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

14. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Again, whether past (did, didn’t) or present (do, don’t, does, doesn’t), the “to do” helper is followed by the base form of the verb and the base form of the verb. he He
ONLY
DOES
WORK?
DOES
WORK!
DID
WORK?
DIDN’T
WORK!
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

15. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Which “to do” verb phrases below are correct? How do you repair the errors? The answers are on the next slide.
1. The boy does not likes the new school.
2. The boy don’t like the new school.
3. The boys don’t like the new school.
4. The boys didn’t liked the new school.
5. The boy didn’t like the new school.
6. Didn’t the boy liked the new school?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

16. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
1. Error: The boy does not likes the new school.
Correct: The boy does not like the new school.
2. Error: The boy don’t like the new school.
Correct: The boy doesn’t like the new school.
3. Correct: The boys don’t like the new school.
4. Error: The boys didn’t liked the new school.
Correct: The boys didn’t like the new school.
5. Correct: The boy didn’t like the new school.
6. Error: Didn’t the boy liked the new school?
Correct: Didn’t the boy like the new school?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

17. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Identify and repair the errors in the following. The answers are on the next slide.
1. The architects did not completed the project by the deadline.
2. Did you went to the movies with your sister?
3. My friend does not likes scary movies.
4. The reason behind these new rules don’t make sense.
5. The teacher didn’t really told you that, did she?
6. Does he orders the supplies or do you?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

18. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
1. Error: The architects did not completed the project by the deadline.
Correct: The architects did not complete the project by the deadline.
2. Error: Did you went to the movies with your sister?
Correct: Did you go to the movies with your sister?
3. Error: My friend does not likes scary movies.
Correct: My friend does not like scary movies.
4. Error: The reason behind these new rules don’t make sense.
Correct: The reason behind these new rules doesn’t make sense.
5. Error: The teacher didn’t really told you that, did she?
Correct: The teacher didn’t really tell you that, did she?
6. Error: Does he orders the supplies or do you?
Correct: Does he order the supplies or do you?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

19. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Finally, the last two uses of the “to do” helper (abbreviated reference and tag questions) cause problems for students with a more developmental command of English. What is wrong with these sentences?
1. Marta likes fast cars and so Tom.
2. None of the boys went and neither any of the girls.
3. My dad hasn’t arrived yet, and neither did my mom.
4. Mark did offer to help, did he?
5. Dr. Padilla didn’t call the patient yet, didn’t she?
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

20. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
1. Error: Marta likes fast cars and so Tom.
Correct: Marta likes fast cars and so does Tom.
2. Error: None of the boys went and neither any of the girls.
Correct: None of the boys went and neither did any of the girls.
(Numbers 1 and 2 need “to do” to refer to the previous verb.)
3. Error: My dad hasn’t arrived yet, and neither did my mom.
Correct: My dad hasn’t arrived yet, and neither has my mom.
Correct: My dad didn’t arrive yet, and neither did my mom.
(“To do” helpers can’t refer to previous verbs that use other helpers.)
4. Error: Mark did offer to help, did he?
Correct: Mark did offer to help, didn’t he?
5. Error: Dr. Padilla didn’t call the patient yet, didn’t she?
Correct: Dr. Padilla didn’t call the patient yet, did she?
(A positive use must be followed by a negative tag, and vice versa.)
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

21. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Here are a couple of final problems that are occasionally seen:
Because “to do” verb phrases can only be two words, longer verb phrases are always erroneous grammatical mutations. The “to do” helper can’t work in conjunction with any other helper.
Does she can help us later?
They did could go on the trip after all.
Remember that the second verb can only be the base form, so in addition to the past participle, the present participle also cannot be used after any “to do” helper.
The boys do finishing their homework right now.
My friend didn’t really trying to hurt my feelings.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

22. 2 continued. Problems with the “To Do” Helper
Error: Does she can help us later?
Correct: Can she help us later?
Error: They did could go on the trip after all.
Correct: They could go on the trip after all.
Correct: They did go on the trip after all.
Error: The boys do finishing their homework right now.
Correct: The boys are finishing their homework right now.
Error: My friend didn’t really trying to hurt my feelings.
Correct: My friend wasn’t really trying to hurt my feelings.
Correct: My friend didn’t really try to hurt my feelings.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)

23. English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)
More Resources
For more information on the proper uses of the “to do” helper, consult Vh-1a through Vh-1d in Chapter 2 in the handbook.
For more information about verb phrase problems such as “did finished” and “does goes,” see Vh-1e and 1f in Chapter 2 of the handbook.
For additional practice with “to do” helpers, do Exercises 2.2, 2.4, and 16.6 in the workbook.
9/19/2018
English Beyond the Basics (2nd ed.)