verbs - What is the origin of the 'do' construction?


Modern English seems to require this verb in several circumstances, where most other European languages don't seem to need it. (See? I just used it.)


For example, in questions: "Do you have a dog?" Whereas, "Have you a dog?" would be normal in other languages or in the English of days gone by.


Another example: "I do not know him." Again, "I know him not," could be used, but sounds stilted nowadays.


So, where did this 'do' come from?




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