do

/də/verb
Early ChildhoodNot in standard dictionaries
1

A syntactic marker in a question whose main verb is not another auxiliary verb or be.

2

A syntactic marker in negations with the indicative and imperative moods.

3

A syntactic marker for emphasis with the indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods.

4

A syntactic marker that refers back to an earlier verb and allows the speaker to avoid repeating the verb; in most dialects, not used with auxiliaries such as be, though it can be in AAVE.

5

Should; ought to (especially in respect of a task to be repeated).

6

Used to form the present progressive of verbs.

7

To perform; to execute.

8

To cause or make (someone) (do something).

9

To suffice.

10

To be reasonable or acceptable.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing

#dialectal#informal#obsolete#slang