Common mistake 'did' with past tense verb

Common Mistake: Using 'did' with a past tense verb

One common mistake that many people make is using the word 'did' in combination with a past tense verb. This mistake often occurs when forming questions or negative statements.

Forming Questions

When forming questions, we typically use auxiliary verbs like 'did' or 'do'. However, these auxiliary verbs should not be used with past tense verbs.

  • Incorrect: Did you went to the party last night?
  • Correct: Did you go to the party last night?

Notice that we use the base form of the verb 'go' (go) after 'did', rather than the past tense form 'went'.

Negative Statements

In negative statements, the auxiliary verb 'did' is also unnecessary when using a past tense verb.

  • Incorrect: She didn't ate her breakfast this morning.
  • Correct: She didn't eat her breakfast this morning.

Again, we use the base form of the verb 'eat' (eat) after 'didn't', rather than the past tense form 'ate'.

By avoiding this common mistake, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning. It's always important to double-check your usage of 'did' with past tense verbs to maintain clarity in your writing.

Linguix Grammar Checker: While it's crucial to understand and avoid common mistakes like using 'did' with past tense verbs, it can be challenging to catch every error on your own. Linguix Grammar Checker is a powerful tool that can help you identify and correct such mistakes, ensuring that your writing is error-free and polished.

'did' with past tense verb mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    Did the application worked?

    Correct:
    Did the application work?

  • Incorrect:
    Did the applications worked?

    Correct:
    Did the applications work?

  • Incorrect:
    Did your new applications worked?

    Correct:
    Did your new applications work?

  • Incorrect:
    Did a man called when I was out of the office?

    Correct:
    Did a man call when I was out of the office?

  • Incorrect:
    Did your car ever had a recent windshield replacement?

    Correct:
    Did your car ever have a recent windshield replacement?

  • Incorrect:
    Why did a man called?

    Correct:
    Why did a man call?

  • Correct:
    Did your applications work?
  • Correct:
    If it were not that I knew who it was I could have mistaken it for my Aunt so well did her clothes fit him.
  • Correct:
    Why did a record called 'Daffodil' show a poppy?
  • Correct:
    Did a man called Daffodil come here?
  • Correct:
    The person who eventually did this interesting work was able to show that...
  • Correct:
    The mechanical device that actually did this check failed because of the ingress of water.
  • Correct:
    I just did a simple setup based off that tutorial.
  • Correct:
    This felt so horrible that everything else I did that day sucked.
  • Correct:
    Did this get resolved at all?
  • Correct:
    Did getting dropped off a distance away occur to you?
  • Incorrect:
    Did you forgot it?

    Correct:
    Did you forget it?

  • Incorrect:
    Did you really forgot it?

    Correct:
    Did you really forget it?

  • Incorrect:
    Why did you forgot it?

    Correct:
    Why did you forget it?

  • Incorrect:
    I couldn't find any images in your email, did you forgot to attach them maybe?

    Correct:
    I couldn't find any images in your email, did you forget to attach them maybe?

  • Incorrect:
    Didn't you forgot it?

    Correct:
    Didn't you forget it?

  • Incorrect:
    Didn't you used to be a teacher?

    Correct:
    Didn't you use to be a teacher?

  • Correct:
    Ate like crap, drank a lot and did workouts developed by bros.
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