Do does in questions are an essential part of English grammar, particularly when forming questions. These auxiliary verbs are used to form yes/no questions and can sometimes be confusing for non-native speakers. In this article, we will explore the usage of do and does in questions, their differences, and provide examples to help you understand when and how to use them correctly.
Do and does are the first auxiliary verbs used to form yes/no questions in the present simple tense. The choice between do and does depends on the subject of the sentence. If the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (e.g., he, she, it, I, you, or a singular noun), the correct form to use is does. On the other hand, if the subject is a plural noun or pronoun (e.g., we, they, you, or a plural noun), the correct form to use is do.
Let’s take a look at some examples to better understand the usage of do and does in questions:
Example 1: Singular subject
– Does he like coffee? (The subject is “he,” a singular pronoun, so we use “does.”)
– Does she play the piano? (The subject is “she,” a singular pronoun, so we use “does.”)
– Does it rain in the summer? (The subject is “it,” a singular pronoun, so we use “does.”)
Example 2: Plural subject
– Do you like pizza? (The subject is “you,” a plural pronoun, so we use “do.”)
– Do they go to school every day? (The subject is “they,” a plural pronoun, so we use “do.”)
– Do we have a meeting next week? (The subject is “we,” a plural pronoun, so we use “do.”)
It’s important to note that when forming questions using do and does, the main verb in the sentence changes to its base form. For example:
Example 3: Changing the main verb
– He likes coffee. (Present simple)
– Does he like coffee? (Yes/No question)
– She plays the piano. (Present simple)
– Does she play the piano? (Yes/No question)
By understanding the rules and practicing with examples, you’ll be able to use do and does in questions correctly. Remember that these auxiliary verbs are crucial for forming clear and grammatically correct questions in English.