A1 Beginner Present simple
Present simple — questions
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can ask about other people's habits and give correct short answers.
When to use it
- Asking about habits: Do you play football?
- Asking for information: Where do you live?
- Checking something you are unsure of: Does the train leave at six?
Form
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No question | Do + I/you/we/they + V? | Do you like pizza? |
| Yes/No question | Does + he/she/it + V? | Does she like pizza? |
| Short answer | Yes, … do/does. · No, … don't/doesn't. | Yes, she does. · No, she doesn't. |
| Wh- question | Question word + do/does + S + V? | Where do you live? |
Step by step
- Choose Do or Does according to the subject.
- Put Do/Does at the front, before the subject.
- Return the main verb to its base form — drop the -s.
- End with a ?. A question word goes before Do/Does.
The same sentence in three forms
| Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| She works here. | She doesn't work here. | Does she work here? |
| They work here. | They don't work here. | Do they work here? |
| He has a dog. | He doesn't have a dog. | Does he have a dog? |
Examples
Do you like pizza?
Do your friends play chess?
Does she speak English?
Does the train leave at six?
Where do your parents work?
What does he want?
Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
Yes, she does. / No, she doesn't.
Common mistakes
Like you coffee? → Do you like coffee?
Vietnamese makes questions by adding a word at the end. English requires the auxiliary Do/Does at the front.
Does she likes tea? → Does she like tea?
The -s is already inside Does; the main verb must be the base form.
Yes, she likes. → Yes, she does.
A short answer reuses the auxiliary, never the main verb.
Memory tip
Think of Do/Does as a gatekeeper: it stands at the front and keeps the -s, so the verb behind it is always empty-handed.
Summary
- Do + I/you/we/they · Does + he/she/it, then the base verb.
- A question word (what, where, when…) comes before Do/Does.
- Short answers: Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't. — never repeat the main verb.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.