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

✨ Lesson 1: Present Simple Questions with "do" and "does"

We know how to make questions with the verb 'be' by inverting the subject and verb (e.g., "He is a doctor" → "Is he a doctor?").

However, we cannot do this with action verbs like 'work', 'eat', or 'go'. To make questions with action verbs, we need a special helping verb¹: do or does.

The Golden Rule for Questions

To make a Yes/No question in the Present Simple, we add Do or Does to the beginning. The main verb always stays in its base form² (no '-s'!).

[Do/Does] + [Subject] + [Base Verb]...?

Use 'Do' with I, you, we, they:

• Do you live in Siem Reap?
• Do they sell tickets here?

Use 'Does' with he, she, it:

• Does he work in a hotel?
• Does she speak French?
• Does the tour start at 8 AM?

Look at the Verb!
Notice how the '-s' moves from the main verb in the statement to the helping verb 'does' in the question.

• Statement: He works here.
• Question: Does he work here? (No '-s' on work)

How to Give Short Answers

Just like with 'be' questions, we answer using the helping verb.

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

🧠 Practice Quiz: Create the Question

Change the statement into a Yes/No question.

1. You speak English.
   → Do you speak English?
2. He works at Angkor Wat.
   → Does he work at Angkor Wat?
3. They live in that guesthouse.
   → Do they live in that guesthouse?
4. She likes spicy food.
   → Does she like spicy food?

📝 Homework: Ask and Answer

Write three Yes/No questions about a friend or family member's habits. Then, give a true short answer for each.

Example:
Question: Does your father drink coffee?
Answer: Yes, he does.

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Question 1: ___________________________________?
Answer 1: ___________________________________.

Question 2: ___________________________________?
Answer 2: ___________________________________.

Question 3: ___________________________________?
Answer 3: ___________________________________.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Helping Verb: (Noun) - កិរិយាស័ព្ទជំនួយ (kĕ're'ya'sap chumnuŏy) - A verb (like 'do', 'does', 'be') that helps the main verb to form a question or negative sentence. Also called an auxiliary verb. ↩
2. Base Form: (Noun) - ទម្រង់ដើម (tŭmrâng daem) - The simplest form of a verb, with no endings like '-s' or '-ing'. ↩