Did / Do

[jack]

Are these correct? How do I know which one to use?

1. Did you know you can return this item?
2. Do you know you can return this item?

3. Did you know that this car can brake down very easily?
4. Do you know that this car can brake down very easily?

5. Did you know that if you buy the extended warranty for this car, we'll cover everything for you?
6. Do you know that if you buy the extended warranty for this car, we'll cover everything for you?

What do these mean? Does it matter if I use 'do' /w 'will or 'did /w 'would'? or 'do /w would' or 'did /w will'?
7. Do you know that if you buy the extended warranty for this car, we will cover everything for you?
8. Do you know that if you buy the extended warranty for this car, we would cover everything for you?
9. Did you know that if you buy the extended warranty for this car, we would cover everything for you?
10. Did you know that if you buy the extended warranty for this car, we will cover everything for you?

What does #11 and #12 mean?
11. Do you know that this car can brake down very easily?
12. Do you know this car can brake down very easily?

 

[Mister Micawber]

In each of the couplets, Jack, the past tense is more tentative, therefore more polite, than the present tense. Since these are forms of courtesy, there is no strict reason that the tenses in # 7 - 10 should agree; still, I prefer 7 and 9, with the latter the politer.

In 11 and 12, you have spelt 'break' wrong. The 'that' is optional, and the meaning is that the car easily malfunctions.

 

[jack]

Thanks.

What do these mean?
1. Why did she give up?
2. Why she gave up?
3. Why she gives up? (What does this mean?)

What is the difference in meaing between #1 and #2?

 

[Mister Micawber]

Only (1) is correct, Jack. I've repaired your other two:

1. Why did she give up?
2. Why has she given up? (perhaps this was meant)
3. Why does she give up?

'To give up' means to concede, surrender, abandon. You should be able to find several definitions in your dictionary. Webster's lists it as a separate entry with 6 definitions.

 

[jack]

Thanks.

 

[jack]

When asking someone a quesiton about a car. How do I know which one to use? How do I know if he has a car right now or in the past?

1. Do you have a car?
2. Did you have a car?

Are these correct?
3. How do I know if he has a car right now or in the past? (Is 'the' specific? What is it referring to?)
4. How do I know if he has a car right now or in a past? (Is this correct? Can I use 'a' here? If not, why? Is it specific?

Do these mean the same thing?
5. Do I get paid overtime?
6. Do I get paid for overtime? (What does this one mean? What's the point of having 'for'?)

 

[Natalie27]

When asking someone a quesiton about a car. How do I know which one to use? How do I know if he has a car right now or in the past?

1. Do you have a car? now...present
2. Did you have a car? then...past

Are these correct?
3. How do I know if he has a car right now or in the past? (Is 'the' specific? What is it referring to?).../do..Simple Present Tense/ Did...Simple Past Tense 4. How do I know if he has a car right now or in a past? (Is this correct? Can I use 'a' here? If not, why? Is it specific? in the past

Do these mean the same thing?
5. Do I get paid overtime?
6. Do I get paid for overtime? (What does this one mean? What's the point of having 'for'?)

5.Do I get paid overtime? Do I get paid extra $$$
6. Do I get paid for overtime. Do I get paid for working extra hours.

:-D ;-)

 

[Francois]

I don't get it either :-(

FRC

 

[Natalie27]

what is it you don't understand, Francois?:-(

 

[Francois]

The difference between 5 and 6...

FRC

 

[Natalie27]

5.Do I get paid overtime? Do I get paid extra $$$
6. Do I get paid for overtime. Do I get paid for working extra hours.

Overtime can mean two things: either hours you worked on top of your regular hours or payment for additional work beyond your regular working hours. ;-)

 

[Francois]

Got it, TY.

FRC