Beginner 📐 Grammar · #19 of 305

Present Simple: Negative and Questions

Use do/does + base verb.

Examples

  • She doesn't like tea.
  • Do you speak English?

Key rules

  • Negative: do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) + base verb
  • Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb
  • Use does with he, she, it and drop the -s from the verb
  • Short answers: Yes, she does. No, I don't.

Common mistakes

  • She doesn't likes tea → She doesn't like tea
  • Does he works here? → Does he work here?
💡 Tip: Only the auxiliary (does) takes the -s, not the main verb.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Beginner quiz
← Present Simple: AffirmativeSpelling of -s Verbs →

Related Beginner topics

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Nouns: Naming Words

A noun names a person, place, thing or idea.

Singular and Plural Nouns

Add -s to most nouns; add -es after s, x, ch, sh.

Irregular Plurals

Some nouns change form instead of adding -s.

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable nouns can be counted; uncountable ones cannot take a/an or plural.

Proper and Common Nouns

Proper nouns name specific things and start with a capital letter.

Subject Pronouns

I, you, he, she, it, we, they replace the subject.