The use of 'do' 'does' and 'did' for emphasis
"Statistics show that camera surveillance does reduce crime".
One of my Members sent me this question yesterday:
- Why is there "does" (auxiliary verb) in this sentence?
- Why not say: "Statistics show that camera surveillance reduces crime."?
Compare the two sentences - why does the writer use "DOES" ?
It is for EMPHASIS. Perhaps there is some doubt about whether camera surveillance reduces crime rates.
If the writer has evidence that camera surveillance DOES reduce crime rate, they want to emphasise this.
In Speaking, the 'do', 'does' or 'did' is emphasised/stressed using a longer, lower or higher tone.
In Writing, the 'do', 'does' or 'did' is often written in bold, italics or capital letters for emphasis.
Some examples:
"People think that I don't like my job, but I DO like my job".
"He said I didn't do my homework, but I DID do my homework".
One of my friends uses "do" to show how much she likes something:
"Oh I DO like Daniel Craig".
