Bought or did buy

Question

Hello everyone,Is either "bought" or "did buy" correct in the following sentences?1. How much you bought this car for?2. How much did you buy this car for?Regards,JA

Teechr · Accepted Answer

Only the second is grammatical.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Joseph AIs either "bought" or "did buy" correct in the following sentences?

Questions require a subject-verb inversion.

If the statement uses simple present or simple past tense, there is only one verb. So you must use the helping verb "be" or "do." In questions, the helping verb comes first, then the subject, and then the main verb. The tense of the helping verb is the tense of the sentence. Here are some examples with a statement and possible questions.

He buys a new car every year. (one verb, simple present) => How often does he buy a new car? (two verbs)
He bought a new car yesterday. => What did he buy yesterday? When did he buy that new car? Did he buy a new car yesterday?

If the statement uses a multi-word verb phrase, then the subject is inverted with the first helping (or modal) verb.

I could help you. => Could I help you?
He is running in a race. => Is he running in a race?
Jamie has been shopping at the new store. => Has Jamie been shopping at the new store? Where has Jamie been shopping?

An exception is "be." We do not use helping verbs with "be." We just invert the subject and verb.

Your are cold. => Are you cold?
He was sincere. => Was he sincere?

Bought or did buy

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