Using "do" as a main verb

The verb "do" is a helping verb and a main verb. This causes a lot of confusion for students of English.

As a main verb, "do" appears as do, did, done, or doing. To make a question or the negative, add the helping verb (do, does, or did) to the simple form "do." What did you do yesterday? What do you do every day? I don't do anything on the weekend.

When using "do" as a main verb, it has special meanings--usually related to work:

I do a lot of cleaning on the weekend.

She did the dishes last night.

They do their homework when they get home.

In these sentences, "do" is not in the simple form. It's the main verb. �