Questions and the verb DO

This lesson explains how to use DO to make questions. Before continuing, review these lessons: Introduction to questions | Verb DO.

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The auxiliary verb DO is required to form questions with all verbs except BE and modal verbs. Here are some examples with Yes / No questions. Remember, it is impossible to ask these questions without the auxiliary verb DO.

Correct   Incorrect
DO subject main
verb
   
Do they eat meat? They eat meat?
Does she drink wine? She drinks wine?
Did you dream last night You dream last night?
Did Tom return yesterday? Tom returned yesterday?

The same rule applies to Wh– questions.

Correct   Incorrect
Wh
word
DO subject main
verb
   
Where do they live now? Where they live now?
When does the train arrive?   When the train arrives?
Why did you call me? Why you call me?
How did Tom know?   How Tom know?

Note: It is possible to form questions with the verb HAVE without using DO, but this form is increasingly rare. American English speakers prefer using DO.

Common   Uncommon
DO sub. main
verb
   
Do you have a pen? Have you a pen?
Does he have a new idea? Has he a new idea?

Here are examples of correct questions on the left and incorrect questions asked by students who do not know the grammar rules.

Correct   Incorrect   Reason for error
Do you speak English? Are you speak English? use of BE instead of DO
Does this train go to Chicago? Is this train go to Chicago?
 
Do you have change for a euro?   Have you change for a euro?   use of HAVE instead of DO
Does the room have a bathroom? Has the room a bathroom?
 
What time does the bank open?   When the bank opens?   absence of DO when main verb is not BE
Where do you live? Where you live?

Related lessons:

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