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40 AMERICAN ENGLISH PAGE 390<br />

2 Do for an action<br />

The British sometimes use do <strong>to</strong> refer <strong>to</strong> an action. • 38 (2c)<br />

GB: He practises the piano, but not as often as he might (do).<br />

You should reply if you haven't (done) already.<br />

This usage is not found in American English.<br />

US: He practices the piano, but not as often as he might.<br />

You should reply if you haven't already.<br />

But Americans use do so.<br />

GB/US: You should reply if you haven't done so already.<br />

3 Do for emphasis<br />

The British can use do <strong>to</strong> emphasize an offer or invitation in the imperative form.<br />

GB: (Do) have a glass of wine.<br />

This usage is less common in American English.<br />

US: Have a glass of wine.<br />

Americans also avoid the emphatic Do let's... and the negative Don't let's...<br />

• 19 (6a)<br />

GB/US: Let's not invite them.<br />

GB only: Don't let's invite them.<br />

NOTE Let's don't invite them is possible in informal American English but not in Britain.<br />

4 Question tags<br />

Americans use tags much less often than the British. The British may use them<br />

several times in a conversation, but this would sound strange <strong>to</strong> an American.<br />

Americans use tags when they expect agreement. They do not often use them <strong>to</strong><br />

persuade or argue.<br />

GB/US: Mary likes ice-cream, doesn't she?<br />

GB only: You'll just have <strong>to</strong> try harder, won't you?<br />

Americans often use the tags right? and OK?<br />

Mainly US: You're going <strong>to</strong> meet me, right?<br />

We'll take the car, OK?<br />

5 Have, have got and have gotten<br />

a<br />

Have and have got<br />

GB:<br />

I've got/I have some money.<br />

US (spoken): I've got some money.<br />

US (written: I have some money.

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