Did vs Do
Moderator: Alan
- Caleycj
- Member
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2021 3:25 am
- Status: Other
- Location: United States of america
Did vs Do
Hi all - My wife will say thinks like “Did you want me to schedule Christmas photo’s”. Rather than “Do you”. I explained that did was past tense and do is present. She argues that in food service you are asked “did you want to order?” Looking for some guidance to articulate who is correct and why. Please educate me.
- Alan
- Teacher/Moderator
- Posts: 15237
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Japan
Re: Did vs Do
'Did you want...?' in this context is little more than a polite alternative to 'Do you...?'.
The latter tends to suggest that the speaker requires the addressee to make an immediate decision, while the former tends to imply that (s)he is simply enquiring about a wish that has already been conceived in the addressee's mind.
The latter tends to suggest that the speaker requires the addressee to make an immediate decision, while the former tends to imply that (s)he is simply enquiring about a wish that has already been conceived in the addressee's mind.