Grammar help please?

Question

Hi,Could you explain to me why after "do/did/does" we have to use a plain form? they are verbs to me though...I do admire / envy your knowledge. (Both words are used as a verb here?)I do admiring your knowledge. (Incorrect for some reasons)

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

John AkiCould you explain ~~to me~~ why ~~after "do/did/does"~~ we have to use a plain form after "do/did/does"?

It's a rule of English grammar. The plain form is the form you find in a dictionary listing of words. That is, the plain form is the bare infinitive, the base form, the form which has no endings like -s, -ed, or -ing.

John Akithey are verbs to me though...

Correct. They are verbs. They are a special type of verb called auxiliary verbs. That means they are used together with other verbs. do, have, and be are auxiliaries.

John AkiI do admire / envy your knowledge.

There are three verbs in your example above. They are all underlined.

John AkiI do admiring your knowledge. (Incorrect for some reasons)

This is incorrect because 'admiring' is not a plain form. It is a combination of the plain form 'admire' and the ending -ing.

CJ

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