Would be/do

Question

Hello, I am a middle school Student from UK.

My today's English lesson is about ellipsis after auxiliary verbs.

I have this example pasted in this message, because I find it a bit unusual.

The example is as follows:

Mat's next week's operation is worrying him a lot. "Yes, I suppose it would do."

I imagine that "do" should be changed to "be". Do you suppose so?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes, I think it should be changed to "be". This, coming from a 34-year-old edcuated American.

Mister Micawber · Answer

However, the expression is a British one.  Its intent is 'Yes, I suppose it would [worry him]' but with the substitution of the dummy 'do', and it is certainly common among the educated BrE speakers that I've run into.

Anonymous · Answer

Mister Micawberbut with the substitution of the dummy 'do',

thank you again, Mister Micawber.

Is the "but" meaning "only" here?

only with the substitution of the dummy 'do'

I have been thinking about this all night.

Anonymous · Answer

sorry, I lied to you about my place. I am not from UK.

If so, I would already have understood your meaning of the sentence.

I just want to learn the way English natives think and express their thoughts.

Because I am not English native, sometimes it is very difficult for a non-English native to grasp the true meaning.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Is the "but" meaning "only" here?-- I guess it means 'except'. Anyway, these structures are equal:

Yes, I suppose it would [worry him] = Yes, I suppose it would do.

Would be/do

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