In this exchange:

A: I'm having trouble finding my car.

B: Of course you are.

I think this sentence could also be used, keeping the same meaning: Of course you do.

I don't see any difference between the two, but I feel like there should be? If it is, under what circumstances would you use the do version?

( Is there a rule for that? )

  • 1
    You always use the same verb: I am having trouble... -> "Of course you are" – Jim Jan 8 '15 at 17:06
  • @Jim - please make that an answer. I started to write the same thing as an answer before I noticed your comment. – T.E.D. Jan 8 '15 at 17:18
  • @T.E.D.- go ahead. I think the answer needs a bit more fleshing out than that simple sentence including a discussion of "do support" and a few more examples. I'm at work right now and don't have time. – Jim Jan 8 '15 at 17:21
  • I think How widely-accepted is “What do you got?” to Americans? is highly relevant here, if not an actual duplicate. It seems to me OP's example is precisely the kind of usage where at least some Americans use do. Which grates on me, since from my perspective only are works (or in other contexts, have). – FumbleFingers Jan 8 '15 at 18:32


Of course you do having trouble finding your car.


Of course you are having trouble finding your car.

If A uses “having” (present continuous?), then B's answer should be in the same tense.

The other form would be:

A: I have trouble finding my car.

B: Of course you do.

  • 1
    Your examples make it very clear. I can't believe I didn't try saying it in a full sentence: Of course you do having trouble finding your car which doesn't make sense. – this Jan 8 '15 at 17:26

Rule One: If the verb is modal*, then match the verb:

The verb used is to be (I am/I'm, You are/You're/, He is, etc.) because the verb in the first sentence is am though contracted to I'm.

The response therefore would use that verb too, but in the second person; you are or you're.

We tend not to end on contractions, so "Of course you're" would be strange, and so it's "Of course you are".

Rule Two: If the verb is not an modal, then you use do.

I found my car.

*Of course you found. [Incorrect]

Of course you did.

Rule Three: If the verb is not followed by an object or preposition, and ends the sentence, then you can choose between the two:

I don't dance.

Of course you dance.

Of course you don't.

*The modal verbs are be, can, could, dare, do, may, might, must, need, ought, shall, should, will and would.

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