did vs be in questions?

Question

I am new to teaching esl and one thing I have found to be a source of great confusion is when do we use the verb be in questions and when do we use the verb do? Are there any rules? For example.. Were you late today? vs Did you arrive late? AAAHHHH..HELP PLEASE!!!!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Be is a linking verb-- it links the subject to a noun or adjective or adverb: Were you late? Are you Norwegian? Are you Michael? Will you be on the next train?

Do is used with other verbs-- it connects the subject with the action-- Do you drink? Did you see him?

Cool Breeze · Answer

Do is not used:

1. With be (except imperatives):
Were you late?
Is he walking now?
But: Don't be a fool!

2. With the defective auxiliaries (can, could; will, would, shall, should; may, might, must; ought):
Can he swim?
Will they come as well?
Would you have said that?

3. With have, has, had when they are perfect and past perfect auxiliaries:
Have you seen him?
Had he done anything?

Do need not be used with the above verbs when they mean 'own', 'possess':
Has he a car? It is more common, especially in American English, to use do: Does he have a car?

When have has another meaning, do must be used:
What time did you have lunch today? (= eat)
Do you have to go there every week? (= must)
Does he have his house painted every year? (= someone does the job for him)

4. When an interrogative pronoun is the subject or a part of the subject of a clause:
Who said that?
Whose friend said that?
What happened?

CB

did vs be in questions?

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