How much remains ??How much does remain ?

[ph2004]

What is correct : "How much remains ?" or "How much does remain ?"

 

[SoothingDave]

"How much remains" sounds better and more to-the-point to my ears.

Nothing wrong with the other. "How much does remain?" could work in some contexts.

 

[vgv8]

When may a helping word (like "does) be eliminated and when not?

 

[lauralie2]

When may a helping word (like "does) be eliminated and when not?

When it's emphatic:

• How much remains.
• How much does remain. <emphatic-does>

 

[vgv8]

I found this reply to "Who + Auxiliary", explaining that auxiliaries are not used when subject and question words are the same, helpful.

Should I memorize that the normal (non-empahtic) usage (updatef a question) is without auxiliary verb when it is possible?

 

[lauralie2]

Should I memorize that the normal (non-empahtic) usage is without auxiliary verbs when it is possible?

Memorize? No. Just know the reason:

Emphatic-do

1. To add emphasis to an entire sentence: "He does like spinach. He really does!"
2. To add emphasis to an imperative: "Do come in." (actually softens the command)
3. To add emphasis to a frequency adverb: "He never did understand his father." "She always does manage to hurt her mother's feelings."
4. To contradict a negative statement: "You didn't do your homework, did you?" "Oh, but I did finish it."
5. To ask a clarifying question about a previous negative statement: "Ridwell didn't take the tools." "Then who did take the tools?"
6. To indicate a strong concession: "Although the Clintons denied any wrong-doing, they did return some of the gifts."

Source
​

 

[vgv8]

Memorize? No. Just know the reason:

Emphatic-do

1. To add emphasis to an entire sentence: "He does like spinach. He really does!"
2. To add emphasis to an imperative: "Do come in." (actually softens the command)
3. To add emphasis to a frequency adverb: "He never did understand his father." "She always does manage to hurt her mother's feelings."
4. To contradict a negative statement: "You didn't do your homework, did you?" "Oh, but I did finish it."
5. To ask a clarifying question about a previous negative statement: "Ridwell didn't take the tools." "Then who did take the tools?"
6. To indicate a strong concession: "Although the Clintons denied any wrong-doing, they did return some of the gifts."

Source
​

Your examples are irrelevant to and diverting from the topic under discussion:
the order, content and structure (of words) in a question!
That is, that a normal content, structure and order of words in a question
(taught by learners of English)
may happen to be emphatic.

Does a (normal) question always require auxiliary and if not then when?
Teachers (and students) of English, known to me, do not even know
that English question may be correct without an auxiliary (verb)!

For a learner of English it is not trivial that a normal structure and content of a question (using auxiliary verb) happens to be emphatic.

 

[birdeen's call]

vgv8, what do you mean by normal? What's a normal question, content, order?

I think you already know the answer to your question, whatever the question is. It seems to me that you're asking whether some questions can be asked without an auxiliary verb. The answer is, of course, yes. Your link says so.