Questions & Negatives Exercises

Subject-verb agreement also applies in questions and negative sentences, but the rules work through the helper verb rather than the main verb. In present simple questions, use does with singular subjects (he, she, it) and do with plural subjects (we, they) and with I and you: "Does she like coffee?" and "Do they like coffee?" The main verb stays in its base form — never add -s after does.

Negative sentences follow the same pattern. Use doesn't (does not) with singular subjects and don't (do not) with plural subjects: "He doesn't eat meat" and "They don't eat meat." A common error is writing "He don't" or "She don't" — the singular form is always "doesn't." In the past simple, this distinction disappears because did and didn't work with all subjects: "Did she go?" and "Did they go?" Understanding how agreement works with helper verbs is essential for A2 and B1 examinations.