2015-08-21
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1 The most important use of do as an auxiliary verb is that it combines with the base form of verbs to make questions and negatives in the simple present and simple past tenses, and is used in place of a verb in short answers and question tags [> Chapter 13]. Note that do can function both as a auxiliary verb and as a full verb in the same sentence [> 10.41-42]. Do (auxiliary verb) you do (full verb) your shopping once a week?
2 Do is also used for emphasis [compare > 9.53]: Do sit down I did turn the gas off Drive carefully1 - I do drive carefully
3 Do is used in place of a verb in: e.g. / like ice-cream and Ann does too [> 4.18, 10.44.2, 11.31, 13.28]
10 Be, Have, Do
'Be' as a full verb
10.5 Uses of 'be' in the imperative [compare > 9.51]
The imperative of be is restricted to the following combinations:
10.5.1 'Be' + noun
Many combinations of be (affirmative) + noun are idiomatic:
Be a man!
Be an angel and fetch me my slippers please
Go on! Have another slice! Be a devil!
Don't be + noun is much more common and very often refers to (foolish) behaviour. The negative response is I'm not!:
Don't be an ass/a clown/a fool/an idiot/an Imbecile! etc And note combinations of be + adjective + noun:
Be a good girl at school. Don't be a silly idiot!
Be can have the sense of 'become' especially in advertisements: Be a better cook! Be the envy of your friends!
The negative don't be (= don't become) is often used for advice. Agreement is expressed with / won't (be).: Don't be a racing driver! It's so dangerous.
Be is also used to mean 'pretend to be', especially after you: (You) be the fairy godmother and I ' l l be Cinderella Be a monster, granddad!
And note:
Now be yourself again!
10.5.2 Be' + adjective
Only adjectives referring to passing behaviour can be used after
be/don't be. e.g. careful/careless, patient/impatient, quiet, silly [> App 41]
(Be/Don't be will not usually combine with adjectives describing
states, e.g. hungry/thirsty, pretty):
Be quiet! (negative response: / won't!)
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Don't be so impatient! (negative response: I'm not!)
10.5.3 'Be' + past participle
Be combines with a few past participles: e.g. Be prepared!, (Please) be seated!, Be warned! Compare: Get washed! [> 12.6].
10.5.4 'Do' + 'be' in place of the imperative and the present tense
The imperative:
Be careful, or you'll break that vase! can be re-phrased with if in the following way:
If you don't be careful, you'll break that vase. This is less common than [> 14.4]:
If you're not careful, you'll break that vase
We can use be like any other imperative where the sense allows:
- after do [> 9.53]: Do be careful with that vase!
- after you [> 9.54]: You be quiet!
- with tags [> 9.55]: Be quiet for a moment, will you?
'Be' as a full verb
10.6 The simple present form of 'be'
