Grammar: A2 - ✨ Grammar Essentials: 🏗️ Sentence Structure - Expanding - Lesson 1: Present Simple Questions with "do/does"

Grammar: Present Simple Questions

A1 Lesson 18: Using 'Do' and 'Does'

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to ask and answer Yes/No questions with 'do' and 'does' about daily actions and habits.

Two Types of Questions

In the Present Simple, there are two main types of Yes/No questions. It is very important to know which one to use!

Questions with 'Be'

We use 'be' (am, is, are) for nouns and adjectives to ask about states, identity, and descriptions.

Example: Is she a teacher? Are you hungry?

Questions with 'Do/Does'

We use the helping verbs 'do' and 'does' for action verbs to ask about habits and daily activities.

Example: Does she teach English? Do you eat rice?

The Grammar Rule 📖

How to Ask Yes/No Questions with Action Verbs

The formula is: Do/Does + Subject + Base Verb...?

Use...	With Subjects...	Example
Do	I, you, we, they	Do you live in Siem Reap?
Does	he, she, it	Does he work in a hotel?

Important Tip: The main verb is always the base form (no '-s'). The '-s' from the statement moves to the helping verb 'does'.

Statement: He works here. → Question: Does he work here?

In Conversation

Let's see how these questions are used to talk about routines.

You: Excuse me, do you work here?

Staff: Yes, I do. How can I help?

You: I am looking for my friend, Chantha. Does he work today?

Staff: Chantha? Yes, he does. He starts at 9 AM.

How to Give Short Answers

Giving Short, Polite Answers

We answer using the same helping verb that was used in the question.

Question	Positive Answer	Negative Answer
Do you like spicy food?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
Does she live here?	Yes, she does.	No, she doesn't.

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: Create the Question

Change the statement into a Yes/No question.

1. You speak Khmer.
   → Do you speak Khmer?
2. He works at a restaurant.
   → Does he work at a restaurant?
3. They live near the Old Market.
   → Do they live near the Old Market?
4. She likes sweet coffee.
   → Does she like sweet coffee?

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Ask About a Friend

Think about a friend or family member. Write three Yes/No questions about their daily habits or things they like. Then, write a true short answer for each.

Example: Does my mother watch TV? No, she doesn't.

Key Vocabulary

• Helping Verb (Noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទជំនួយ
  A small verb (like do, does, be, will) that helps the main verb. Also called an auxiliary verb.
• Base Form (Noun) | ទម្រង់ដើម
  The simplest form of a verb, with no endings like '-s' or '-ing' (e.g., work, eat, go).