Question

hi can you tell me which is ok?Does he like Spain?1. he must do2.he must

Terryxpress · Accepted Answer

It is unlikely a native speaker would answer with these words without also adding a reason, unless he is not really interested in pursuing this as a topic of conversation.

Does he like Spain?
1. He must do.
The reply mirrors the question: the question begins 'does', so the speaker mirrors this with 'do'

2. He must.
A shortened form of (1)

If you then wonder, but which "is preferable/when would I use one rather than the other" :
With (1), the speaker is more a detached observer, commenting. With (2), it is more informal/colloquial; and...I don't want to say that the speaker feels more 'involved', but that the speaker feels less detached.
To add to the sentences:

1. He must do. He goes on holiday there every winter.

2. He must. He keeps asking me to go too.

Molly35 · Answer

thanks the confusion came using do or an axilary with must.I had already taught my students not to use auxilaries with modals but found myself anwering an exercise

oes she go to Paris alot?She speaks good French. Yes,She must do...and the anwers in the book were 1.she must 2. she must go.....
but when the question was

oes he have much money ?I answered ' no he can`t have` and not 'no,he can`t do` and i got stuck.......

Terryxpress · Answer

I answered ' No, he can`t have` and not 'No,he can`t do` .

Quite right. Because a person 'has' money, not 'does' money.

I see your confusion! Why, then, isn't it:
Does he like Spain?
He must like.

I'll have to think about it, though someone with the ready answer may be able to tell you first.

I think it's to do with the verb 'like', and verbs about a 'state of being' as with 'feel', 'think'. e.g.
Does he feel depressed?
He must do. He doesn't go out, and never rings.

But let me ponder this one!

Molly35 · Answer

yes but have is a normal verb so if i was using must/can't for logical conclusions i'd use do
Does he go to France alot?Yes,he must do...
Does he have money?No,he can`t do..
or else not use DO at all ,get me??

Do you have any sisters?

yes i do ...is more correct than yes,i have

Please do think about it.I think I was wrong and i haev to correct myself tomorrow.

No auxilaries with modals...i may have bad habits!

Terryxpress · Answer

Hey...hey...I am equally puzzled! Let me keep thinking about this. And hopefully, someone else in the forum has ideas.

Khoff · Answer

molly35Does he like Spain?
1. he must do
2.he must

To me, "He must do" sounds very British. An American would be much more likely to say "He must."

Starstruck · Answer

Hi.
Either say "he probably does", or "he must".

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