Yes / No Questions with “Do” and “Does”

What Are “Do” and “Does”?

We use do and does to make yes/no questions with most verbs.

Common verbs include:

• like
• want
• work
• live
• eat
• play

The verb be (am, is, are) is different and does not use do or does. Modal verb can is different too.

1. Choosing Between Do and Does

The subject tells you which word to use.

Subject	Auxiliary: Do or Does
I	do
He	does
She	does
It	does
You	do
We	do
They	do

With noun subjects, use does for one person or thing and do for more than one.

• Does your brother work here?
• Does the shop open on Sundays?
• Do your friends live nearby?
• Do the shops open on Sundays?

2. Making Questions

Use this pattern:

Do / Does + subject + base verb?

Remember, the main verb always stays in its base form.

3. Be vs Do / Does

The table below shows the difference between be questions and do/does questions.

Statement	Question
You are happy.	Are you happy?
She is at home.	Is she at home?
You like coffee.	Do you like coffee?
She works at home.	Does she work at home?

Using “do” or “does” with the verb “be” is one of the most common mistakes English learners make — always use “am”, “is”, or “are” directly.

4. Short Answers

We usually answer yes/no questions with short answers.

Question	Positive	Negative
Do you like coffee?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
Does he eat chocolate?	Yes, he does.	No, he doesn't.
Are you happy?	Yes, I am.	No, I’m not.

For be questions, repeat am/is/are in the answer; do not use do/does.

• Are you happy? — Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
• Is she at home? — Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.

don’t means do not, and doesn’t means does not.

5. Quick Summary

Rule	Detail
Do	I, you, we, they
Does	he, she, it
Verb after do/does	base form
Use do/does with be?	No
Question pattern	Do/Does + subject + base verb?