Do and Does

tonten · 02-07-2013, 09:15 AM

I'm having a problem with these two words in this type of sentence:

Little does his enemies know, . . .

Word check tells me to change it to

"do his enemies" or "does his enemy"

I want to keep enemies plural. I think "Little do his enemies know" sounds better

but doesn't

does = did

and

do = done

One wouldn't say "Little does they know" or do they?

blacbird · 02-07-2013, 09:37 AM

Your word-processor is correct, with either suggestion. "Do", in this construction, is a plural subject present-tense conjugation, "does" is singular. Standard is:

I do
He, she, it does
We, they do.

Now, if you're narrating in past tense, your choice should be "Little did his enemies know." It would be the same if the enemy was singular: "Little did his enemy know."

"To do" is one of the most common verb forms in English, and any other language, and these most common verb forms in languages which involve conjugation are often irregular.

caw

FennelGiraffe · 02-07-2013, 11:23 AM

That sentence construction is turned around backward. Nothing wrong with that ; it just makes the grammar harder to untangle. Turn it back the usual way, and it's easier to see:

His enemies do know little.

Nekko · 02-07-2013, 01:24 PM

Little do his enemies know...is correct.

His enemies eat puppies - his enemy eats puppies (well, they are his enemies for a reason.)
His enemies color the flowers red - his enemy colors the flowers red

You just aren't aware of this little peculiarity of verb agreement most of the time, where it seems like the plural noun takes a singular verb because of the 's'.
I'm sure Susan L, or Mac could explain it better.

Roxxsmom · 02-07-2013, 10:45 PM

Little do his enemies know.

Little does his enemy know.

For once, MS grammar checker is correct. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, as they say

tonten · 02-10-2013, 08:55 PM

Thank you for all the replies. I guess in this case, I got my rules mixed up.

02-07-2013, 09:15 AM	#1
tonten practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 109	Do and Does I'm having a problem with these two words in this type of sentence: Little does his enemies know, . . . Word check tells me to change it to "do his enemies" or "does his enemy" I want to keep enemies plural. I think "Little do his enemies know" sounds better but doesn't does = did and do = done One wouldn't say "Little does they know" or do they?

02-07-2013, 09:37 AM	#2
blacbird That hairy-handed gent Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Who ran amok in Kent Posts: 26,374	Your word-processor is correct, with either suggestion. "Do", in this construction, is a plural subject present-tense conjugation, "does" is singular. Standard is: I do He, she, it does We, they do. Now, if you're narrating in past tense, your choice should be "Little did his enemies know." It would be the same if the enemy was singular: "Little did his enemy know." "To do" is one of the most common verb forms in English, and any other language, and these most common verb forms in languages which involve conjugation are often irregular. caw __________________ Without a reader, the story doesn't exist -- James D. MacDonald Last edited by blacbird; 02-07-2013 at 09:55 AM.

02-07-2013, 11:23 AM	#3
FennelGiraffe It's green they say Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,704	That sentence construction is turned around backward. Nothing wrong with that ; it just makes the grammar harder to untangle. Turn it back the usual way, and it's easier to see: His enemies do know little. __________________ In a science fiction novel, if I describe what's on a desk, the reader will use this to figure out the level of technology in the society. In a mystery novel, if I describe what's on a desk, the reader will understand that one of those objects is a clue. In a literary novel, if I describe what's on a desk, the reader will understand it to be a metaphor for the protagonist's mental state. - James D. Macdonald, discussing Reading Protocols, 6 Apr 2009

02-07-2013, 01:24 PM	#4
Nekko New motto: more purr, less hiss Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northern CA in the woods with the bears Posts: 774	Little do his enemies know...is correct. His enemies eat puppies - his enemy eats puppies (well, they are his enemies for a reason.) His enemies color the flowers red - his enemy colors the flowers red You just aren't aware of this little peculiarity of verb agreement most of the time, where it seems like the plural noun takes a singular verb because of the 's'. I'm sure Susan L, or Mac could explain it better. __________________ I'd appreciate your comments on Confrontation Murder, unappeased, makes the dead malevolent. Posie Graeme-Evans, The Island House

02-07-2013, 10:45 PM	#5
Roxxsmom practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lost in space. And meaning. Posts: 1,485	Little do his enemies know. Little does his enemy know. For once, MS grammar checker is correct. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, as they say __________________ Please excuse me, I was raised by wolves. My twitter - My FB - My blog

02-10-2013, 08:55 PM	#6
tonten practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 109	Thank you for all the replies. I guess in this case, I got my rules mixed up.

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