I didn’t, but she did

  • B2 · Upper-intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min
  • leaving words out after helping verbs

Leaving words out after a helping verb when the rest is clear: I haven't yet, but Reema has. I didn't, but Zaid did. I'd love to, but I can't. The student hears a Monday team check-in, chooses the helping verb that matches, joins halves, and runs a check-in of their own with the teacher.

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I didn't,but she did.I can.

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Check the conversationListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the short repliesGrammar exercise
  6. 6Leaving words out after helping verbsGrammar rule
  7. 7Which helping verb?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Two halvesGrammar exercise
  9. 9Finish the repliesGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12The check-inSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: which reply is right?Grammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: but…Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the repliesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: a quick updateDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. How does your week usually start: with a meeting, a to-do list or a big cup of coffee?
  2. What is one thing on your to-do list that you haven't done yet?
  3. Who is the most organized person in your family or at work? Are you?

Grammar rule

Leaving words out after helping verbs

Say the helping verb, leave out the rest

When the rest of the idea is clear, we stop after the helping verb and don't repeat it: "Are you hungry?" "I'm not, but the kids are." (= the kids are hungry)

The first idea has…We stop after…Example
be (am, is, are, was, were)beThe museum wasn't crowded, but the café was.
have / has / had + past participlehave, has, hadI haven't read the report yet, but my boss has.
can, will, would, should, must…the same modalI can't dance, but my daughter can.
the present or past simple (no helping verb)do, does, didShe doesn't like spicy food, but I do. Dad didn't watch the game, but the kids did.
want to, would love to, need to, try to, hope to, be going toto"Can you help me on Saturday?" "I'd love to."

Where you hear it

  • Replies: "Have you voted yet?" "I have." / "No, but I'm going to."
  • Two ideas with but or and: My brother can sing, and my sister can, too.
  • Promises: They said the package would come today, and it did. / …, and it didn't.
  • Reply questions, to show interest: "Our neighbors got a puppy." "Oh, did they?"

Watch out

  • Use the helping verb that matches the first idea: She doesn't eat fish, but I am → but I do. I'm not tired, but my brother does → but my brother is.
  • No short form at the end: Yes, I've. I'm not, but she's. → Yes, I have. …, but she is. The last helping verb is stressed, so it keeps its full form. (Negative short forms are fine: I haven't, she isn't.)
  • Keep to: I'd love, but I'm busy → I'd love to, but I'm busy.
  • So do I and Neither can I (= me too, me neither) are a different pattern. This lesson is about stopping after the helping verb.

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← Unit 7I hope so. I’m afraid not.