A1 · Lesson 5 · 20 min
Present simple questions and negatives
In this lesson
- I can make present simple questions with do and does.
- I can make negatives and short answers with don't and doesn't.
Grammar in context
Maya takes the bus to college. Ben asks, “Do you walk to college?” Maya says, “No, I don’t. Does your sister take the bus?” Ben says, “No, she doesn’t. She walks.”
Find the questions. Which one starts with Do, and which one starts with Does? What happens to the verb after does?
Questions with do and does
Start a question about a routine with Do or Does. Use Do with I, you, we and they. Use Does with he, she, it or one name. After does, use the verb without -s: Does she work here?
- Do you play tennis on Saturdays?
- Does Ella walk to work?
Negatives with don't and doesn't
Use don’t or doesn’t for things that are not true or do not happen regularly. Use don’t with I, you, we and they. Use doesn’t with he, she and it. After doesn’t, use the verb without -s: He doesn’t work here.
- We don't eat lunch at school.
- My brother doesn't watch football.
Answers and question words
You can give a short answer: Do you drive? Yes, I do. Does she drive? No, she doesn’t. For more information, add what, where or when before do or does: Where do you live?
- Does your dad cook? Yes, he does.
- Where do they study after class?
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
Does he works in a shop?
Use
Does he work in a shop?
After does, use the base verb work.
Avoid
She don't get up early.
Use
She doesn't get up early.
Use doesn't with she, he and it.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.