A1
Grammar
Simple Present Tense
Simple present tense — questions
Questions in the Simple Present
Questions in the simple present tense follow a special word order. We use the auxiliary verb 'do' or 'does' at the beginning of the question. The subject comes second, and the main verb comes third. This is different from positive sentences.
Where the Simple Present Tense sits on the English tense timeline
Formula
? Question
Do
+
you/we/they
+
verb
+
?
Do you like coffee?
Examples
Example 1
Do you speak English?
Basic yes/no question · Plural subject
Example 2
Does he play football?
Basic yes/no question · Singular subject
Example 3
What do they do?
Question word question · Plural subject
Example 4
Where does she live?
Question word question · Singular subject
Example 5
When do you go to school?
Question word question · Time question
Example 6
Does it rain in summer?
Basic yes/no question · Singular subject 'it'
When to use it
Starting conversations
Use simple present questions to ask people about their daily habits and routines.
"Do you like your job?" or "What time do you wake up?"
Asking for information
Ask questions to learn about someone's life, work, or interests.
"Does she have any brothers?" or "Where do your parents live?"
Checking facts
Use questions to confirm information you think is true.
"Do you work in an office?" or "Does the shop close at 6 p.m.?"
Signal words
Do
Does
What
Where
When
Who
Why
How
Which
Common mistakes
Wrong
You speak English?
Correct
Do you speak English?
In English, we need 'do' at the beginning of most simple present questions.
Wrong
Does he likes pizza?
Correct
Does he like pizza?
When we use 'does', the main verb stays in base form. Do not add 's' to the verb.