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Do / Does / Am / Is / Are

1

What is it?

"Do", "does", "am", "is", and "are" are auxiliary verbs used to form questions and negatives in the present tense. "Do" and "does" are used with main verbs (present simple). "Am", "is", and "are" are forms of the verb "be" — they can be the main verb or help form continuous tenses. Knowing which to use depends on the subject.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Am — I (be)Am I late?I am not late.
Is — he/she/it (be)Is she a teacher?He isn't ready.Is it raining?
Are — you/we/they (be)Are you sure?They aren't here.Are we late?
Do — I/you/we/they (main verb)Do you speak English?I don't like coffee.Do they know?
Does — he/she/it (main verb)Does she work here?He doesn't want to come.Does it matter?
  • • "Am", "is", "are" are forms of the verb "be". No "do" is used with "be" in questions or negatives.
  • • "Do" is used with I, you, we, they for present simple questions and negatives.
  • • "Does" is used with he, she, it for present simple questions and negatives.
  • • After "does", always use the BASE form of the verb (not the -s form): "Does she live?" (not "does she lives").
  • • "Am I...?" is the only question form with "am" + I. In negatives: "I'm not" (no short form for "amn't" in standard English).
  • • Contractions: isn't = is not, aren't = are not, don't = do not, doesn't = does not.
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    "Am" — only with "I"

    Am I in the right place?

  2. 2

    "Is" — with he, she, it, singular nouns

    Is your brother coming?

  3. 3

    "Are" — with you, we, they, plural nouns

    Are the children ready?

  4. 4

    "Do" — I, you, we, they + main verb

    Do you like tea?

  5. 5

    "Does" — he, she, it + main verb (base form)

    Does he know the answer?

4

Common mistakes

Does she likes pizza?

Does she like pizza?

After "does", use the base form: "like", not "likes".

Do he work here?

Does he work here?

"Does" is used with third-person singular (he, she, it).

Is you ready?

Are you ready?

"Are" is used with "you" (singular and plural).

5

Quick reference

  • "Am" → I (be)
  • "Is" → he, she, it (be)
  • "Are" → you, we, they (be)
  • "Do" → I, you, we, they + main verb
  • "Does" → he, she, it + main verb (base form after "does")
  • With "be" verbs, DON'T add "do/does".
6

Natural conversation example

A teacher asks students questions on the first day of class.

T

Teacher

Good morning, everyone. Are you all comfortable?
S

Students

Yes, we are!
T

Teacher

Great. Do you all have your textbooks?
A

Ana

I don't have one yet. Is it OK if I share?
T

Teacher

Of course. Does everyone speak a little English already?
K

Kai

I do, but my partner doesn't. He only arrived yesterday.
T

Teacher

That's fine. Am I speaking too fast?
K

Kai

No, you're perfect. Are we doing speaking today?

Practice Exercises

Fill in do, does, am, is, or are.

  1. 1.
    __ she speak any other languages?
  2. 2.
    __ you tired after the journey?
  3. 3.
    __ I in the right queue?
  4. 4.
    __ your parents live nearby?
  5. 5.
    __ it raining outside?
  6. 6.
    __ they know about the change?
  7. 7.
    __ he happy in his new job?
  8. 8.
    __ we need to bring anything?
  9. 9.
    __ the shop open on Sundays?
  10. 10.
    __ your friends coming tonight?
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