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 |
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Do | they | eat | meat? | ||
Does | she | drink | wine? | ||
Did | you | dream | last night | ||
Did | Tom | return | yesterday? |
The same rule applies to Wh– questions.
Correct | Incorrect | |||||
Wh– word |
DO | subject | main verb |
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Where | do | they | live | now? | ||
When | does | the train | arrive? | |||
Why | did | you | call | me? | ||
How | did | 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 |
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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? | use of BE instead of DO | |||
Does this train go to Chicago? | ||||
Do you have change for a euro? | use of HAVE instead of DO | |||
Does the room have a bathroom? | ||||
What time does the bank open? | absence of DO when main verb is not BE | |||
Where do you live? |
Related lessons:
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