Present Simple — Questions With DOES
Quick Answer
To ask a present-simple question with he, she, or it, start with does. Pattern: Does + subject + verb (base form, no -s)?
Example: Does she like coffee?
DOES (QUESTION) in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how it works:
- Does he speak English? (Does + he + speak.)
- Does she live here? (Does + she + live.)
- Does it work? (Does + it + work.)
When to Use DOES (QUESTION)
Does is the question helper for he, she, and it. The -s already lives inside “does,” so the verb after the subject goes back to its plain form. End with a question mark.
- He: “Does he have a car?”
- She: “Does she like sushi?”
- It: “Does it hurt?”
- Names of one person/thing: “Does Tom live here?”
Easy way to remember: Does + he/she/it + verb? Three steps. The -s is already in “does” — so the verb after the subject is plain.
The Rule in One Line: Use Does at the start with he, she, it — verb stays in its base form.
Real-Life Examples With DOES (QUESTION)
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- Does he have a brother? (Asking about a person.)
- Does she speak Spanish? (Asking about ability.)
- Does it taste good? (Asking about food.)
- Does Tom live in this neighbourhood? (A name = he or she.)
- Does the shop open on Sundays? (“The shop” = it.)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With DOES (QUESTION)
The classic trap: keeping the -s on the verb after the subject. The -s is already inside “does,” so the verb has to give it back. Almost every English learner makes this mistake at the start — even people who speak well in other ways.
Keeping -s on the verb
✗ Does she likes coffee?
✓ Does she like coffee?
Using does with I/you/we/they
✗ Does you speak English?
✓ Do you speak English?
Forgetting the helper
✗ She likes coffee?
✓ Does she like coffee?
How to remember: Does + he/she/it + verb? The -s is already inside “does.” The verb that follows is plain.
Common “does” questions: Does he speak English?, Does she live here?, Does it hurt?, Does Tom drive?
Test Yourself: DOES (QUESTION)
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. _______ he speak English?
2. _______ she live in London?
3. _______ it work?
4. _______ Tom drive a car?
5. _______ she like spicy food?
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned does — the last piece of the present simple. With do and does together, you can ask any present-simple question about any person, animal, or thing in the world.
Now picture all the questions you can ask. Yes-and-no questions are powerful, but the really interesting questions start with what, where, when, who, why, how. These six little words open six different doors. The next lesson is the start of all of them.
Next lesson: Basic English Questions — What, Where, When, and More
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.