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Learning English - The Flatmates

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Emphasising with 'do'

We can use the auxiliary verb 'do' to add emphasis. For example, Paul said "I do want to spend some quality time with Jake" to show how strongly he feels about this.

We can also show contrast with 'do'. For example, we can contrast what was expected with what actually happened by saying, 'The food was cheap as anything but it did taste fantastic.'

We form this emphasis or contrast with 'do' or 'did'+ base verb. For example, "I do want to spend some quality time with Jake".

1. We can show contrast between something that's true and something that's false:

She does know how to swim, she just doesn't want to go swimming with you!

He says he didn't steal the book but I saw him. He did steal it.

2. We can show contrast between a general rule and an exception:

I don't like sports very much but I do love watching tennis.

She doesn't eat meat or fish but she does eat eggs.

3. We can show contrast between how something looks and how it really is:

She makes ice-skating look easy but she does practise every day for hours.

They fight like cat and dog but deep down they really do love each other.

4. We can show compare what is expected with what actually happens:

He said he was going to fail his exam and, sure enough, he did fail!

She thought she wouldn't like the museum but she really did enjoy herself there.

I do want to spend some quality time with Jake

I do apologise for being so late.

He does bake very good cakes, doesn't he?

We did enjoy your party very much.

She does love her new house. No wonder she wanted to give you the full tour

Ask Polly. She does know a lot about politics.

Here's to holidays
Let's hope that the holidays will be fun ('Here's to something' is used to wish for something and said just before drinking)

days off
days when you don't have to work

enthusiastic
looking forward to, excited or interested in something

quality time
time that you spend with your partner or children doing things together so that your relationship stays strong and close

mend a few bridges
become friends again after a misunderstanding or fight