Do VS Does | Rules, Examples, Comparison Chart & Exercises

If you’ve ever stopped mid-sentence wondering, “Do I say ‘Do he play?’ or ‘Does he play?’” — you’re not alone. Do VS Does with their comparison chart and full guidelines I will share in this content. Many English learners (and even native speakers) get confused about when to use do and when to use does.

Both words are forms of the verb “to do,” and they play important roles in forming questions, negatives, emphasis, and more.

In this complete guide on Do vs Does, you’ll learn:

• What do and does actually mean (definitions)
• The grammar rules of do and does
• A simple comparison chart you can memorize
• Over 40 real-life examples
• Practice exercises with answers
• Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

This article is designed for ESL learners, teachers, exam-takers, and English grammar lovers who want a clear, structured, and visual way to master “do vs does.”

Do and Does — Definition & Function

Before diving into rules, let’s understand what do and does actually are.

What is “do/does” as an auxiliary verb?

As auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs), do and does are used in the present simple tense to:

• Make questions
• Make negatives
• Add emphasis

Examples:

• Do you like pizza? (question)
• He does not like rain. (negative)
• I do understand you. (emphasis)

What is “do/does” as a main verb?

As main verbs, do and does mean perform / carry out / complete an action.

Examples:

• I do my homework every evening.
• She does the dishes after dinner.

Rules of Do and Does

Now, let’s break down the grammar rules step by step.

Subject–Verb Agreement (Core Rule)

Examples:

• I do yoga every morning.
• He does yoga every morning.
• They do yoga together.
• The teacher does a great job.

Edge Cases You Must Know

Forming Affirmative Sentences

In simple present tense, do/does is not needed in affirmative sentences unless for emphasis.

Only use “do/does” in affirmatives for emphasis:

• I do enjoy my job.
• He does work hard.

Forming Negatives

We use do not (don’t) or does not (doesn’t) + base verb.

Important:
She doesn’t likes tea. → Wrong
She doesn’t like tea. →  Correct

Forming Questions

Structure:
Do / Does + Subject + Base Verb?

Subject Questions (No Do/Does)

When who / what is the subject, we do not use do/does:

• Who called you?
• What makes you happy?

Who does call you? → Only used for emphasis.

Short Answers & Tag Questions

Emphatic “Do/Does”

Use “do/does” to show strong feeling or contrast.

• I do care!
• She does know the answer.
• He does love you.

Imperatives (Commands)

We can use do in polite or emphatic commands. “Does” is not used in imperatives.

• Do sit down.
• Do help yourself to some cake.

Ellipsis / Substitution with “do”

We can avoid repeating verbs using do/does.

• He likes jazz, and so do I.
• She loves reading, and so does Tom.
• I don’t like it, and neither does she.

Inversion After Negatives

We use do/does after certain negative adverbs (rarely, never, not only, seldom):

• Not only does she speak English, she also speaks Spanish.
• Rarely do they complain.

Differences Between Do and Does

Let’s summarize the key differences.

Person & Number

Form & Spelling

After “doesn’t,” the main verb must be in base form (no “-s”).

Use in Emphasis & Style

• I do want to go! → Emphasis
• He does care! → Strong emotion

Both do and does add strength or contrast to a sentence.

Do vs Does With Comparison Chart

Do and Does Examples

Let’s look at 40+ real-world examples.

Everyday Conversation (10)

1. Do you like pizza?
2. She does yoga every morning.
3. We do our shopping on Sundays.
4. He doesn’t drink coffee.
5. Do they know each other?
6. Does it hurt?
7. I do my best every day.
8. She doesn’t talk much.
9. Do you understand?
10. Yes, I do.

Academic / Workplace (10)

1. Does the report include financial data?
2. We do weekly team meetings.
3. He does research in physics.
4. The students do homework daily.
5. Do you have any questions?
6. She doesn’t miss deadlines.
7. The manager does performance reviews.
8. Do you submit your assignments on time?
9. It does improve productivity.
10. The company does support remote work.

Emphatic & Stylistic (8)

1. I do want to help.
2. He does care about you.
3. She does understand the problem.
4. They do believe in fairness.
5. We do appreciate your effort.
6. It does make a difference.
7. I do agree with you.
8. He does know the answer.

Subject Questions vs Auxiliary Questions (6)

1. Who called you? (subject question)
2. What makes her happy?
3. Who does call you every day? (emphasis only)
4. What does she eat for lunch?  (auxiliary question)
5. Who does know the truth? (emphatic tone)
6. What do they do on weekends?

Exercise of Do and Does (with Answer Key)

Let’s test what you’ve learned!

Beginner — Fill in the Blanks

1. ___ they play football?
2. He ___ not eat meat.
3. We ___ go to school every day.
4. ___ she work here?
5. I ___ like ice cream.
6. ___ you know the answer?
7. She ___ her homework.
8. They ___ not speak English.
9. ___ it make sense?
10. The teacher ___ a great job.

Intermediate — Correct the Error (10)

1. She doesn’t likes tea.
2. Do he play the guitar?
3. They doesn’t agree.
4. Does you understand?
5. He do his homework.
6. The students does not talk.
7. It don’t make sense.
8. Does she plays tennis?
9. We doesn’t go out.
10. Everyone do know that.

Advanced — Transformations (8)

1. (Statement → Question)
   They play cricket. → _____________________
2. (Question → Negative)
   Does he cook? → _____________________
3. (Add emphasis)
   She likes music. → _____________________
4. (Use ellipsis)
   I enjoy reading. → _____________________
5. (Use “neither”)
   I don’t swim. → _____________________
6. (Add tag)
   You do your work, __________?
7. (Subject question)
   __________ calls you every day?
8. (Negative inversion)
   __________ do they miss class.

Answers:

Here are the correct answers with explanations:

1. 1. ___ he play football?
      b) Does
      We use does with singular third-person (he, she, it).

   2. They ___ not like spicy food.
      b) do
      “They” is plural, so we use do.

   3. Which sentence is correct?
      b) She doesn’t like tea.
      After doesn’t, we use the base form of the verb (like, not likes).

   4. ___ you understand the rules?
      b) Do
      “You” takes do.

   5. Everyone ___ know the answer.
      b) does
      “Everyone” is treated as singular, so we use does.

   6. Which is correct?
      a) What makes you happy?
      The auxiliary “does” is not needed here. The subject “what” already works with “makes.”

   7. ___ the students study English?
      a) Do
      “Students” is plural, so we use do.

   8. The police ___ arrive on time.
      a) do
      “The police” is considered plural, so we use do.

Intermediate:

1. She doesn’t like tea.
2. Does he play the guitar?
3. They don’t agree.
4. Do you understand?
5. He does his homework.
6. The students do not talk.
7. It doesn’t make sense.
8. Does she play tennis?
9. We don’t go out.
10. Everyone does know that.

Advanced:

1. Do they play cricket?
2. He doesn’t cook.
3. She does like music.
4. I enjoy reading, and so does she.
5. Neither do I.
6. don’t you?
7. Who calls you every day?
8. Rarely do they miss class.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Quick Reference: Do vs Does Rules

• Use do with I, you, we, they, plural nouns
• Use does with he, she, it, singular nouns
• Use do not / don’t or does not / doesn’t to form negatives
• After does/doesn’t, use the base verb (no -s)
• Use do/does + subject + base verb to form questions
• Never use do/does in subject questions like Who called?
• Use do/does for emphasis: I do agree.
• Use so/neither + do/does + subject to avoid repetition

FAQs — Do vs Does

Is “does” singular or plural?

Does is used with singular third-person subjects (he, she, it, a student, a cat). Example: She does her homework.

When do we use “do” vs “does” in questions?

Use do with I/you/we/they: Do you like chocolate?
Use does with he/she/it: Does she play tennis?

Can we use “does” for emphasis?

Yes