Lesson

Present simple - Do you...?

Present simple questions

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Present simple - Do you...?

Use 'Do you...' to form present simple questions for habits, routines, abilities and facts with subjects I, you, we, and they. The auxiliary 'do' helps form questions and negatives in the present simple. Remember the main verb stays in its base form after 'do'.

  • Ask about routines: Do you check your email every morning?
  • Ask about preferences or abilities: Do you speak English?
  • Use 'do' + subject + base verb for I/you/we/they
  • Use short answers with 'do' or 'don't': Yes, I do. / No, I don't.

Table

Forming Present Simple Questions with do/does

Subject Auxiliary Main verb (base form) Example
I / You / We / They do work Do you work from home?
He / She / It does work Does she work in marketing?
Short answer (affirmative) Yes, + subject + do/does Yes, I do. / Yes, she does.
Short answer (negative) No, + subject + don't/doesn't No, we don't. / No, he doesn't.

Tip

Key rule: Where 'do' goes

To form present simple questions, place the auxiliary 'do/does' before the subject, then the base verb.

  • Question structure: Do + subject + base verb + ... ?
  • For he/she/it use 'Does' and the main verb stays in base form (no -s).
  • Use 'do/does' for questions and 'do not/does not' (don't/doesn't) for negatives.

Short answers repeat the auxiliary: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't.

Example

Examples in context

Do you attend the weekly team meeting?

Do you send the monthly report to the manager?

Do you usually work from the office or remotely?

Do you have access to the shared drive?

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often make predictable errors when forming questions with 'do'. Watch for these:

  • Forgetting the auxiliary 'do' and making a statement word order: 'You like coffee?' instead of 'Do you like coffee?'
  • Adding -s to the main verb after 'does': 'Does he works?' (wrong) — use base verb: 'Does he work?'
  • Using 'do' with the verb 'be' or modals: 'Do you are ready?' (wrong) — correct: 'Are you ready?'
  • Incorrect short answers that repeat the main verb instead of the auxiliary: 'Yes, I like.' (wrong) — use 'Yes, I do.'

Check subject-auxiliary order and use the base verb after 'do/does'.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Check the subject and use 'does' for she/he/it.

Quiz

Complete: _____ to meetings every Monday?

Hint: Think about forming a present simple question with 'you'.

Quiz

Choose the correct short answer to: 'Do you use the company printer?'

Hint: Short answers repeat the auxiliary verb used in the question.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

do

auxiliary verb CEFR A2 //duː//

Auxiliary used to form present simple questions and negatives for I/you/we/they.

Do you need any help with the presentation?

GrammarPoint

does

auxiliary verb CEFR A2 //dʌz//

Auxiliary used to form present simple questions and negatives for he/she/it.

Does the manager approve the budget?

Vocabulary

auxiliary

noun CEFR B1 //ɔːɡˈzɪl.i.ə.ri//

A helping verb used with main verbs to form tenses, questions, and negatives.

In questions we often use the auxiliary 'do'.

Expression

short answer

expression CEFR B1 //ʃɔːrt ˈæn.sər//

A brief response that repeats the auxiliary verb (e.g., Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't.).

Do you have the file? — Yes, I do.

GrammarPoint

base form

grammar term CEFR B2 //beɪs fɔːrm//

The verb form without inflections (no -s, -ed, -ing) used after auxiliaries.

Do they follow the new procedure?

Vocabulary

habitual

adjective CEFR B1 //həˈbɪtʃ.u.əl//

Describing actions that happen regularly or as a habit.

Do you have a habitual start time for work?