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do: substitute verb (I may do.)

auxiliary verb + do​

In British English (but not American), do can be used alone as a substitute verb after an auxiliary verb.

  • ‘Come and stay with us.’ ‘I may (do), if I have the time.’ (AmE I may, if … or I may come, if …)
  • ‘He’s supposed to have locked the safe.’ ‘He has (done).’ (AmE He has. or He has locked it.)
  • He didn’t pass his exam, but he could have (done) if he’d tried harder.
  • He smokes more than he used to (do).

Progressive forms are possible, but not very common.

  • ‘You should be getting dressed.’ ‘I am (doing).’

Note that the auxiliary verb is stressed in this structure.

  • ‘Close the door.’ ‘I HAVE done.’ (not … I have DONE.)
note

For auxiliary verbs used instead of complete verb phrases, (see here).