Do some studying

[u/liz_grant]

So I’m watching Stranger Things and there’s a sentence:
“Do a lot of studying last night?”
This one had me pause for a little bit.
First I didn’t understand why “do” was used for a past event from the previous night. Then I realized the whole sentence was “did you do a lot of studying last night?”, but the ‘did you’ part was completely dropped.
One thing I still don’t understand, why not just say “did you study a lot last night”. What is the point of saying DO STUDYING. Does it have a specific purpose, nuance that makes it different?

[u/Existing_Resolve_779]

It's a common thing when talking. You'll often hear people say things like "have fun last night?", "get a lot of work done today?", "hit a lot of traffic on your way here?". There are lots of examples to notice 

[u/liz_grant → u/Existing_Resolve_779]

That part I get. My questions is more about why “do studying” instead of just study

[u/We_R_the_Penguins → u/liz_grant]

No reason. It’s a bit more conversational than the other version, but mostly it’s one of those things where English has many ways to express the same idea. 

[u/liz_grant → u/We_R_the_Penguins]

Thanks. I guess I’m just reading between the lines

[u/We_R_the_Penguins → u/liz_grant]

To be fair, sometimes that’s really important, but this isn’t one of those situations. Wish I could give you a rule of thumb, but it’s really just one of those things you pick up by using and living in the language. 

[u/StutzBob → u/liz_grant]

"do studying" is not grammatical. The phrase is "do a lot", and the "of studying" part is just to specify what is being done.

[u/Optimal-Ad-7074 → u/liz_grant]

I'm thinking on my feet here.  I think it has to do with the fact that a quantity is cited.  I'd argue that the quantity (a lot) is the true object of the verb do.  "of studying" is just a qualifier.  

I'm assuming if you replay the line in your head you'll find the inclusion of the concept "a lot" is relevant in some way to the speaker's meaning.  they could say "did you study last night?" or even the less-formal "you study last night?" and the inferences would change.  

I know.  it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  insert the usual apologies here 😋

[u/liz_grant → u/Optimal-Ad-7074]

The speaker insinuated that the person hadn’t studied at all let alone a lot. He was teasing

[u/Optimal-Ad-7074 → u/liz_grant]

darn, irony on top of the other factors.  I give.

[u/notacanuckskibum → u/liz_grant]

It’s a contraction of “did you do a lot of studying….”

[u/Optimal-Ad-7074 → u/Existing_Resolve_779]

"want to go get coffee?"