Present simple: questions and negatives

What you'll learn

Use do and does to ask questions. Use don't and doesn't to make negative sentences.

The main verb stays in the base form.

Start with these examples

• Do you work here?
• Does she like coffee?
• I don't drive.
• He doesn't play tennis.

Questions

Do/Does + subject + base verb?

Use do with I, you, we and they.

• Do you live near here?
• Do they speak English?

Use does with he, she and it.

• Does he work on Saturdays?
• Does she like music?

Negative sentences

subject + don't/doesn't + base verb

• I don't watch much TV.
• We don't have a car.
• She doesn't drink coffee.
• My brother doesn't work here.

Important: use the base verb

After do, does, don't and doesn't, use the base verb.

• Does she like tea? ✓
• She doesn't work on Sundays. ✓

Short answers

• Do you play football? — Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
• Does he live here? — Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.

Common mistakes

• Does she likes tea? → Does she like tea?
• He don't work. → He doesn't work.
• She doesn't works here. → She doesn't work here.
• Do Maria live here? → Does Maria live here?

Quick check

• ___ you like pizza? → Do
• She ___ like coffee. → doesn't
• Does he ___ English? → speak

Next step

Learn the main yes/no question patterns with be, do, have got and can.