How To Use Do and Does (With Examples)

Learn when to use each word.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

There’s a chance you’ve been using these two words incorrectly.

That may have been the first thought that came to your mind when you saw this article show up. Now you’re confused and unsure.

This happens to me from time to time as well.

(Not a member? Read this article for free on my Substack.)

But I know you’re anxious to learn, so I’ll keep the storytelling short and get straight to it.

Here’s how to use the words “do” and “does”:

How To Use ‘Do’

As a verb, use “do” with:

• I
• You
• We
• They
• Plural Nouns
• Work, Duties, and General Activity Nouns

Examples:

• What do I want to eat?
• Do you want to come?
• Do we sit here and wait?
• Do they know where to go?
• Do the girls want pizza?
• Do your course assignments.
• Do you have the paperwork?

How To Use ‘Does’

As a verb, use “does” with:

• He
• She
• It
• Singular Nouns
• Work, Duties, and General Activity Nouns

Examples:

• Does he want to sit here?
• Does she have a chair?
• Does it bite?
• Does Billy want a drink?
• He does his homework after school.
• Jane does not have the paperwork.

Final Thoughts

The words “do” and “does” are simple words once you know the rules for them.

Hope this helped clarify any confusion you may have had.

If you want to work on your grammar, check out my workbooks.

With them, you’ll learn the rules and then practice them immediately with the provided exercises.

You can learn more about them here.