Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Ale_Grellet]

Hi.
Please, i need some help here:

- Mary told me yesterday that...
- Really?
- Yeah, she DID TELL me that.

Is that correct? I mean, because of the DID, I necessarily have to use TELL? or TOLD would be ok as well?

Thanks

[CP]

Yes, it is correct. Using "did" with the bare infinitive emphasizes the verb. You can say "did tell" or "told," but not "did told."

Some other examples:

A: You saw them kissing? Really?
B: Yes, I did see them kissing--with my own eyes!

C: I though you liked peanut butter.
D: I did like it--until I got sick from eating it.

E: Are you sure you saw him take the money?
F: Yes, I did see him. He put it in his pocket and walked away.
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[Ale_Grellet]

Ok, got it.

If the dialogue had been:

Mary has told me that...
Really?

There would be some way to emphasize the verb in this case?
Can I change the verb tense, and answer with simple past, like:

Yes, she did tell me that.

Thanks... hope my question's clear... it seems to me a little confusing.

[peterteacher]

Yes, you can still use "yes, she DID tell me that" in the second example because the present perfect "has told me" includes past tense in its scope.

To make it more natural though, the conversation should run something like:

Mary has told me that...
Really? I can't believe Mary would ever tell you that!
Well, she did tell me! So there!


It should be really necessary to empasise the telling strongly before using did. But it's grammatically fine.
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[Ale_Grellet]

Thank you!

[peterteacher]

No worries!
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Try some mini, on-line adventure games to help your English at: www.gameenglish.com