Many English learners get confused by the phrases “do somebody” and “does somebody.” You’ll get here everything about the Do Somebody VS Does Somebody with differences details. While they may seem similar, using the wrong one can make your sentences sound incorrect or awkward. Knowing the difference helps you speak and write clearly.
These phrases often appear in questions, offers, favors, or everyday statements. The correct choice depends on the subject of your sentence—whether it’s singular or plural, or first person or third person. Even a small mistake in subject–verb agreement can confuse your listener.
In this guide, we break everything down simply. You’ll find definitions, practical examples, common mistakes, and easy tips. You’ll confidently know when to use “do somebody” and when to use “does somebody,” making your English smooth and natural.
What “Do Somebody” and “Does Somebody” Mean
Let’s start with the basics:
- “Do” and “does” are forms of the verb “to do.”
- They can be main verbs (meaning to perform an action) or helping verbs in questions and negative sentences.
- “Somebody” means a person and can be used interchangeably with someone.
Examples:
- Do somebody: “I do somebody a favor when they need help.”
- Does somebody: “Does somebody know the answer?”
Tip:
- Use do with I, you, we, they.
- Use does with he, she, it.
- Main Difference Between “Do Somebody” and “Does Somebody”
The difference comes down to subject–verb agreement.
| Subject | Correct Form | Example Sentence |
| I, You, We, They | Do Somebody | Do they know somebody at your office? |
| He, She, It | Does Somebody | Does she know somebody from school? |
Tips:
- Use do for plural subjects and I/you/we.
- Use does for singular third-person subjects (he, she, it).
Common Mistakes:
- “Do he know somebody here?” → “Does he know somebody here?”
- “Does they know somebody?” → “Do they know somebody?”
When to Use “Do Somebody” and “Does Somebody”
Both phrases are widely used, but their applications differ slightly.
Do Somebody:
- General questions
- Offering help or favors
Examples:
- “Do you know somebody who can fix this?”
- “I’ll do somebody a favor if they need it.”
Does Somebody:
- Asking about a specific person’s actions or knowledge
Examples:
- “Does somebody have a pen I can borrow?”
- “Does somebody here speak French?”
Example Sentences in Context
Do Somebody:
- Do you know somebody at this company?
- Do they help somebody in need?
- Do I need somebody’s permission to enter?
- We do somebody a favor when we share our time.
Does Somebody:
- Does she know somebody from your city?
- Does he call somebody every morning?
- Does somebody want to join this group?
- It does somebody good to take a break sometimes.
More Examples by Sentence Type
- Do you know somebody who lives nearby?
- Does somebody want to volunteer?
Affirmative Statements:
- They do somebody’s work when needed.
- She does somebody a big favor every week.
Negative Statements:
- I don’t do somebody’s tasks for them.
- He doesn’t do somebody wrong intentionally.
Idioms & Expressions:
- “Do somebody harm” = hurt someone
- “Do somebody a favor” = help someone
- “Do somebody proud” = make someone proud
Grammar Rules to Remember
- Use do with I, you, we, they.
- Use does with he, she, it.
- After does, the main verb is always in its base form.
- Example: “Does she like somebody?”
- For negatives, use:
- “Do not (don’t)” or “Does not (doesn’t)”
Common Errors and Fixes
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Form |
| Do he know somebody? | Wrong subject–verb agreement | Does he know somebody? |
| Does they like somebody? | “Does” doesn’t go with plurals | Do they like somebody? |
| Does she likes somebody? | Verb should be base form | Does she like somebody? |
Tip: Always check the subject before choosing do or does.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Do Somebody | Does Somebody |
| Subject | I, You, We, They | He, She, It |
| Example | Do you know somebody new? | Does she know somebody from work? |
| Use | Questions, offers, general | Questions about specific people |
| Verb Form | Base form | Base form (after “does”) |
Quick Practice
Fill in the blanks:
- ___ they know somebody in this city?
- ___ he work with somebody you know?
- ___ you need somebody to help you?
- ___ she want somebody to call her back?
Answers: 1. Do 2. Does 3. Do 4. Does
Don’t miss knowing the related topics: British Accent vs American Accent
FAQs
What’s the difference between “do somebody” and “does somebody”?
“Do” = I, you, we, they. “Does” = he, she, it.
Can “do somebody” be used in formal writing?
Yes. Example: “Do you know somebody available for the role?”
Which is correct: “Do somebody know?” or “Does somebody know”?
“Does somebody know?”
Are “somebody” and “someone” the same?
Yes. They can be used interchangeably.
How can I remember this easily?
Think: He/She/It = Does; I/You/We/They = Do
Conclusion
The choice between “do somebody” and “does somebody” depends on the subject:
- Do → plural subjects or I/you/we/they
- Does → singular third-person subjects (he/she/it)
Practice regularly, check your subjects, and soon using the correct form will become second nature. This will make your English sound clear, correct, and confident.