Yes / No Questions with “Do” and “Does”
1. When Do You Use "Do" and "Does"?
You use do and does to make yes / no questions with most verbs.
These verbs include: like, want, work, live, eat, play.
The verb be (am, is, are) works differently — you will see this in Section 5.
Do not use do/does with modal verbs like can.
- Can you help me? ✓ (not: Do you can help me? ✗)
2. When to Use "Do"
Use do with:
- I
- you
- we
- they
- Do I need a ticket?
- Do you work on weekends?
- Do they live in South Africa?
- Do we need a ticket?
3. When to Use "Does"
Use does with:
- he
- she
- it
- Does he like pizza?
- Does she speak English?
- Does it work?
When you use does, the main verb does NOT get an -s. Always use the base form.
✗ Does she likes pizza?
✓ Does she like pizza?
4. Basic Structure of Yes / No Questions
Use this pattern:
Do / Does + subject + base verb?
The verb is always in its base form (no -s, no -ed).
- You like tea.
→ Do you like tea? - She lives here.
→ Does she live here?
5. Compare: "Be" vs "Do / Does"
Sometimes students use do/does with the verb be by mistake. This section shows the difference.
Look at the main verb in the sentence.
If the verb is am, is, or are, use am / is / are to make the question.
If the verb is a different verb, use do or does.
- 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?
6. Short Answers with "Do" and "Does"
We usually answer yes / no questions with short answers.
Positive short answers
- Do you like coffee? → Yes, I do.
- Does he eat chocolate? → Yes, he does.
Negative short answers
- Do you watch TV every day? → No, I do not. / No, I don't.
- Does she play football? → No, she does not. / No, she doesn't.
In short answers, use do / does — not the main verb. Say "Yes, I do," not "Yes, I like." Do and does do the work in the answer.
7. Remember
- Use do with I, you, we, they
- Use does with he, she, it
- Use the base verb after do/does
- Do not use do/does with be
- Use short answers: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't.
- Pattern: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
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Yes/No (Do and Does) Questions
A1Do and Does Questions
2 wordsLast updated July 14, 2026