Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
The History of 'do'
I'm curious...I know that in other languages they just say the verb and tie whatever word order (SVO, VSO, OSV, etc.). However in English, as far as I know, uses the verb do in front of other verbs as if the verbs themselves cannot do the job alone.
Ex. I do like the blue one rather than the white one.
Do hurry up, please.
It does make me happy.
Where and when did this appear in the English language? Was there a history behind this? Was it copied from another language?
If any of you know at least where I could start looking. I am just very curious how did 'do' appear.
Ex. I do like the blue one rather than the white one.
Do hurry up, please.
It does make me happy.
Where and when did this appear in the English language? Was there a history behind this? Was it copied from another language?
If any of you know at least where I could start looking. I am just very curious how did 'do' appear.
Top answer
term=do The best reference would be the full entry in the Oxford English dictionary. English is in the Germanic family of languages, but has influences from many other languages.
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There is an online etymology dictionary with a brief http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=do
The best reference would be the full entry in the Oxford English dictionary.
English is in the Germanic family of languages, but has influences from many other languages.
The best reference would be the full entry in the Oxford English dictionary.
English is in the Germanic family of languages, but has influences from many other languages.
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