Did / Do

Question

I want to ask about the Katrina storm. How should I use 'did' and 'do' ?

What do these mean?

1. Why did they call it Katrina? (At the time they named it?)

2. Why do they call it Katrina? (People call it that right now?)

Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Yes, the first refers to the original naming of the storm; the second is with regard to how we refer to it now.

Jack112 · Answer

Scenario: I'm talking to my pal while we are hiking up a mountain and casually speaking I say this to him:

1. Did you know your hands turn blue when they are about to get frostbite? ('did' refers to the past?)

2. Do you know your hands turn blue when they are about to get frostbite? ('do' refers to the present?)

Do I use 'did' or 'dod' here? Does it matter which one I use? Which one would ou use?

Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Do I use 'did' or 'dod' here?

Well, certainly do not use dod, Jack!

Did and do vaguely refer to past and present here, but their primary use is one of courtesy. In #1, the speaker distances himself from the listener's knowledge and is therefore being slightly more polite than with #2. At the same time, #2 is more immediate and direct; it indicates that the speaker is more likely to be thinking that the listener may not know about the frostbite symptom and wishes to communicate that new fact.

I would use #2 in teaching status and #1 in peer conversation.

Teo · Answer

Mister MicawberDid and do vaguely refer to past and present here, but their primary use is one of courtesy. In #1, the speaker distances himself from the listener's knowledge and is therefore being slightly more polite than with #2. At the same time, #2 is more immediate and direct; it indicates that the speaker is more likely to be thinking that the listener may not know about the frostbite symptom and wishes to communicate that new fact.

1. He thinks that you are right. (correct)

2. He is thinking that you are right. (normally incorrect)

3. He is likely to think that you are right.

4. He is likely to be thinking that you are right.

Why is sentence # 4 acceptable while sentence #2 is not normally possible?

What's the difference between # 3 and # 4?

Thank you very much for your reply.

Mister Micawber · Answer

In appropriate context, I see #2 as no less likely than #4, Teo.   Durative forms are possible for most stative verbs when the speaker is  considering process or immediacy.

Did / Do

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