2006-11-29 22:05:32 · 6 answers · asked by marcosdinardi 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
That is correct English, do not try to change it, just remember it, English is a majority rule language, and you are in a definite minority, so, tough luck, if you want to change English grammar rules keep using it and if it gets accepted, well done, till then, tough
2006-11-29 22:14:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Happen" is a verb so it conjugates to its past tense. "Did' as a past tense marker is used with other question words such as:
"When did it happen?"
"Who did it happen to?" (Although many folks want to use "whom", here, 'who' is fine.)
Think of the verb "run".
"I ran." simple past, but add a question word and you get something like "Where did you run?" )"I ran in the park."
The problem is the use of the question words: who, what, when, where, how, why.
These often (but not always) require the past tense marker "did" followed by the plain infinitive. But notice that the answer is often in past tense.
What a confusing language English is.
2006-11-29 22:21:07 · answer #2 · answered by iwasnotanazipolka 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mostly laziness. a signifigant proportion of american language development. the "did" being transferred into a psudo- contraction at the end of "happen" is reflective of the common american english/multiculturial additions to the language.
2006-11-29 22:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by peter p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"What happened to you" = What experience did you have?
"What did happen to you" = What really happened, as opposed to either my not knowing or having received a false account.
2006-11-29 22:17:09 · answer #4 · answered by langdonrjones 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when we have to immediately respond , we do not think of language or grammar, we just say what we want to (to comfort the person involved)!
2006-11-29 22:10:03 · answer #5 · answered by Oye chak de phatte!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's proper grammar...unless "did" is in italics, then it can work I guess.
2006-11-29 22:08:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋