Does vs Did

[Ataylor]

Would it be more appropriate to use the word, "Did" when using it in a statement such as: "Yes he did". As opposed to: "Yes he does" if the person had performed a task only once? And why?

I (without anything really to back my claim) feel as if it sounds a bit odd to say, "Yes, this person does do that" when they've only done "that" once. Does did imply past tense and does to present? Or am I off my rocker?

Thanks

[Mister Micawber]

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In principle, I agree, though (an old grammarian's caution) I would have to see the context to be sure. Does is indeed present, and did is decidedly past.
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[Rusty]

Would it be more appropriate to use the word, "Did" when using it in a statement such as: "Yes he did". As opposed to: "Yes he does" if the person had performed a task only once? And why?

I (without anything really to back my claim) feel as if it sounds a bit odd to say, "Yes, this person does do that" when they've only done "that" once. Does did imply past tense and does to present? Or am I off my rocker?

Thanks "Yes, this person does do that" Does do... is the emphatic use of the verb. It's OK to say that when you really mean it.

[Ataylor]

Does do... is the emphatic use of the verb. It's OK to say that when you really mean it.

Even it he doesn't do "it" anymore?

[Ataylor]

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In principle, I agree, though (an old grammarian's caution) I would have to see the context to be sure. Does is indeed present, and did is decidedly past.
.

Are there any instances you can think of that would imply that the word, "does", as it is used in a specific text, is being used in a way which represents the past?

[Rusty]

Even it he doesn't do "it" anymore? I'm sorry if my answer was misleading. "He does do that" means he definitely does that all the time. "He did do that" means he definitely did that once or repeatedly in the past.

[Ataylor]

Exactly! Thanks for that.