Using "do" in questions?

Raymundo · Post by **Raymundo** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:34 pm

Several students have asked when we use "do" in questions. (How many books do you have? vs. How many books are there?) I have an old grammar book that goes on for several pages about the topic, but is there something short and sweet I can tell first-year students? Thanks.

Andrew Patterson · Post by **Andrew Patterson** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:47 pm

1)If you're asking about the subject you don't use an auxiliary;
2) if you're asking about the predicate you do.

The auxiliary won't always be "do" It may be be, have or a modal.

lolwhites · Post by **lolwhites** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:48 pm

To follow on from Andrew, if the question is about the predicate:

1) Invert the subject and the main auxiliary (be, have or a modal)
e.g. Where were you? Who have they given the job to? How low can you go?
2) If there is no main auxiliary, use an appropriate form of do
e.g. Where do you go at the weekends? Who did they give the job to?