Did with/did to (heard on NPR)

[Barbara Need]

Contexts in which the following work for me.

On 20 Oct 2010, at 11:02 AM, Victor Steinbok wrote:

> Compare:
>
> 1. "What did you do to my car?!"

There is a dent in it! I lent you the car yesterday, and there was no
dent. How did the dent get there!

> 2. "What did you do with my car?!"

Where did you park it? I can't find it!

or, maybe

Did you run over someone with it? I hear there was a hit-and-run
accident and they are looking for a car that looks like mine.

> The "normal" meaning of "did with" =="perform a trick" would not work
> here. I would never say 2., but I can think of a number of people who
> would (and not just in the Midwest).

Barbara

Barbara Need
Ithaca

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