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The word "did" is the past tense of the verb "do" and is used as an auxiliary (helping) verb in English. It plays a crucial role in forming questions, negatives, and emphasizing actions in the past. By mastering "did," you’ll improve your ability to communicate clearly about past events. Let's dive in!

When to use "Did"

• 1. To form questions: Did + subject + base form of the verb.
  - Did you finish your homework?
  - Where did they go yesterday?
  - What did she say about the meeting?
• 2. To form negative sentences: Subject + did not (didn’t) + base form of the verb.
  - I did not (didn’t) watch TV last night.
  - She did not (didn’t) attend the party.
  - They didn’t understand the instructions.
• 3. To emphasize actions: Subject + did + base form of the verb.
  - I did call you yesterday!
  - He did finish his project on time.
  - They did enjoy the concert.

Key Rules to Remember

1. Always Use the Base Form: Do not conjugate the main verb after "did." (Correct: Did she play soccer? Incorrect: Did she played soccer?).
2. Use "Did" for all subjects: I did, you did, he/she/it did, we did, they did.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the past tense form with "Did": Incorrect: "Did you went to the park?" Correct: "Did you go to the park?"
• Omitting "Did" in questions: Incorrect: "You go to the party yesterday?" Correct: "Did you go to the party yesterday?"

Time to Practice! ✍️

1. Complete the sentences:
- ___ she call you last night?
- Where ___ they go for dinner?
- He ___ not (___) finish the book.

2. Rewrite as questions:
- You finished the project yesterday.
- They traveled to Spain last year.

3. Emphasis: Write three sentences using "did" for emphasis.

By practicing "did," you’ll enhance your ability to describe past events accurately and confidently. Start using it today!