Present Simple: Questions with do/does

Think of do and does as grammar signals. They tell the listener that a question is coming. We call them "auxiliary verbs" or "helping verbs." They don't have a meaning like "eat" or "run" here. Their only job is to support the main verb. In the Present Simple, we use them for habits and facts. You use do for most people. You use does for the "third person singular." That means he, she, or it. It is like a partnership. The helper verb does the heavy lifting. The main verb just stays in its basic form. It is a very efficient system once you get used to it.

1. 1Making these questions follows a very strict order. Follow these four steps every time:
2. 2Start with the helper: Use Do or Does at the very beginning.
3. 3Add the person: This is your subject (like you, we, or Sarah).
4. 4Use the base verb: This is the verb with no changes. No -s, no -ing.
5. 5Add the rest: Put the object or place at the end.
6. 6Here is the formula: [Do/Does] + [Subject] + [Base Verb] + [Rest of Sentence]?
7. 7For example: Do + you + like + pizza?
8. 8Another example: Does + he + play + tennis?
9. 9Notice that the verb play does not have an s. The does already has the s sound. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Only one word can go at a time!

We use this pattern for three main things in real life. First, use it for daily habits. You might ask a new friend, "Do you drink green tea?" Second, use it for general facts. In a science class, you might ask, "Does water boil at 100 degrees?" Third, use it for permanent situations. In a job interview, the boss might ask, "Do you live near the office?"

Real-world scenarios make this clear:

• At a restaurant: "Does this dish contain nuts?"
• Asking directions: "Do you know where the station is?"
• Meeting a neighbor: "Does it rain a lot here?"
• At work: "Do we have a meeting today?"

It is the most natural way to get information in English. Even native speakers use this hundreds of times a day. It is your primary tool for curiosity.

There are two big "No-Go" zones for do and does. First, never use them with the verb to be (am, is, are). We don't say "Do you be happy?" We just say "Are you happy?" The verb to be is a superstar. It doesn't need a helper. Second, don't use them with modal verbs like can, should, or must. We say "Can you swim?" not "Do you can swim?" If you use do with can, it sounds like you are asking if the person is a literal tin can. That would be a very strange conversation! Just remember: if is or can is there, do stays home.

Everyone makes mistakes when they start. The most common one is the "Double S." People often say, "Does she likes coffee?" This is wrong. The s is already on does. You don't need it on like. Think of the s like a hat. Only one person in the sentence can wear the hat. Does is already wearing it!

Another mistake is forgetting the helper entirely. Some people say, "You like pizza?" with a rising voice. In casual talk, people might understand you. However, in a professional setting, it sounds incomplete. It is like wearing only one shoe to a wedding. It works, but it looks a bit funny. Always try to include the do or does for a polished look.

It is easy to confuse this with the Present Continuous. The Present Continuous is for things happening *right now*. For that, we use Are you eating? The Present Simple (our rule today) is for things that happen *generally*.

Compare these two:

• "Do you smoke?" (Is this your general habit?)
• "Are you smoking?" (Do you have a cigarette in your hand right now?)

Asking a non-smoker "Are you smoking?" while they are eating a salad would be very confusing! Make sure you use do/does when you want to know about someone's life in general, not just this specific second.