English Language & Usage Asked by this on July 24, 2021
In this exchange:
A: I’m having trouble finding my car.
B: Of course you are.
I think this sentence could also be used, keeping the same meaning: Of course you do.
I don’t see any difference between the two, but I feel like there should be? If it is, under what circumstances would you use the do version?
( Is there a rule for that? )
Compare
Of course you do having trouble finding your car.
with
Of course you are having trouble finding your car.
If A uses “having” (present continuous?), then B's answer should be in the same tense.
The other form would be:
A: I have trouble finding my car.
B: Of course you do.
Correct answer by Celery Man on July 24, 2021
Rule One: If the verb is modal*, then match the verb:
The verb used is to be (I am/I'm, You are/You're/, He is, etc.) because the verb in the first sentence is am though contracted to I'm.
The response therefore would use that verb too, but in the second person; you are or you're.
We tend not to end on contractions, so "Of course you're" would be strange, and so it's "Of course you are".
Rule Two: If the verb is not an modal, then you use do.
I found my car.
*Of course you found. [Incorrect]
Of course you did.
Rule Three: If the verb is not followed by an object or preposition, and ends the sentence, then you can choose between the two:
I don't dance.
Of course you dance.
Of course you don't.
*The modal verbs are be, can, could, dare, do, may, might, must, need, ought, shall, should, will and would.
Answered by Jon Hanna on July 24, 2021
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