Do/Did vs Are/Were — Flexibly, up to the past
A slightly more flexible conversation for making plans, asking favors, and confirming. Let's summarize the past tense (Did/Were) and polite expressions all at once.
→ / ←
Do you like K-pop? (Are you into it?)
be into = to be really into something (state), so Are you into. There's no verb in 'Do you into', so be is necessary. 'Do you into' doesn't exist.
Do you know any good places?
know means 'to know' and is a verb. happen to adds a nuance of 'by any chance' to make the question more polite.
Can I sit here?
mind means 'to mind' and is a verb. Note for responses: If you agree, 'No, go ahead' (I don't mind) is okay with no.
Are you sure about that?
sure means 'certain' as an adjective, so Are you. 'Do you sure' is Konglish.
Did you receive my message?
Asking about a past 'action', so the past form of Do is Did you. get (to receive) is a verb, not a be verb.
Were you at the meeting?
Asking about a past 'state/location (was)', so it's the past of be, Were you. It's about existence, not action, so did is not used.
What are you doing this weekend?
Asking about future 'progress/plans', so be + -ing → Are you doing. If it's a habit, 'Do you do ~' but for plans, the progressive form is more natural.
- 1
For verbs (actions), use Do/Did you; for adjectives, -ing, or states (conditions), use Are/Were you.
- 2
know, get, mind, happen are verbs → Do you; sure, into, busy are states → Are you.
- 3
To change to past, just change Do→Did, Are→Were.
- be into — to be into/like something
- happen to — Polite buffer ~하다
- mind — to hesitate (verb)
- sure — sure (adjective → Are you sure?)