Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)

Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)

With most verbs, we use a helper verb to make negatives and questions in the Present Simple. The helper verb is do or does. It makes the negative or the question. The other verb has no -s: like, work, play. Do not use this helper with the verb 'be'.

Structure

• Negative: Subject + do not (don't) / does not (doesn't) + verb without -s. Example: She doesn't like coffee.
• Question: Do/Does + subject + verb without -s? Example: Does she like coffee?
• Question with a question word: Question word + do/does + subject + verb without -s? Example: Where does she work?

How the Grammar Works

1. Use does with he, she and it. Use do with I, you, we and they. Example: They don't work here. He doesn't work here.
2. After do or does, use the verb without -s. The -s goes to the helper verb. Example: She likes tea. becomes She doesn't like tea.
3. This is true for all verbs. He goes becomes He doesn't go. She has becomes She doesn't have a car.
4. In questions, put do or does before the subject. Example: Do you play tennis?
5. In short answers, say the helper verb again. Do not say the other verb. Example: Do you play tennis? — Yes, I do. / No, I don't.

Common Use Cases

• Saying what people don't do: I don't eat meat.
• Asking about habits and routines: Does he work on Saturdays?
• Asking for information: Where does he work? What do you do?
• Giving short answers: Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.

Questions with a Question Word

To ask for information, put a question word before do or does: where, what, when, why, who, how.

• Where does he work? — He works at a hospital.
• What do you do? — I'm a teacher.
• Why does she study English? — She wants a new job.
• How often do you swim? — Twice a week.

After do or does, the verb never has an extra -s. Incorrect: What does she wants? Correct: What does she want?

Be careful with who. Sometimes who is the subject. Then we do not use do or does. Example: Who lives here? Here the verb has -s, because who is like he or she.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Keeping the -s on the verb. Incorrect: She doesn't likes pizza. Correct: She doesn't like pizza. The helper takes the -s.
• Keeping the -s in a question. Incorrect: Does she likes tea? Correct: Does she like tea?
• Forgetting the helper verb in a question. Incorrect: You like tea? Correct: Do you like tea?
• Using 'do' with he, she or it in a question. Incorrect: Do she work here? Correct: Does she work here?
• Using 'don't' with he, she or it. Incorrect: He don't like fish. Correct: He doesn't like fish.
• Keeping the -s after a question word. Incorrect: What does she likes? Correct: What does she like?

Comparison with Related Grammar

In ordinary positive sentences, we usually do not use do or does. The verb changes instead: She works. We use the helper verb in negatives and questions.

Do not use do or does with the verb 'be' (am, is, are). Say Is she happy? and She isn't happy. Do not say Does she be happy?

Example Sentences

• I don't understand this word.
• Does your brother speak English?
• We don't watch TV in the morning.
• Do they live near you? — Yes, they do.
• He doesn't want to go home.
• What does your sister study at university?

When to Use This Rule

With most verbs, use do or does to make negatives and questions in the Present Simple. Remember: the helper verb takes the -s, and the other verb has no -s. With 'be', do not use do or does.