A1 to A2 grammar focus

Present Simple Questions and Negatives

Master do, does, don’t and doesn’t so you can exchange information naturally and accurately.

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose your route: ordinary verbs use do or does; be makes its own questions and negatives. Use the profile for an information gap even when studying alone.

Maya’s profile

Job: designer. Workplace: at home. Working days: Monday to Friday. Languages: Spanish and English. Available now: yes.

Ordinary verb
Does she work at home?
She doesn’t work on Sundays.

Be
Is she available?
She isn’t a doctor.

Build accurate negatives

Use don’t + base verb with I, you, we and they. Use doesn’t + base verb with he, she and it.

I don’t drink coffee at night.
She doesn’t work on Saturdays.
It doesn’t take very long.

After doesn’t, do not add -s to the main verb. Say “He doesn’t live here,” not “He doesn’t lives here.”

Preserved lesson scene for Does Maya work at home? People and essential props isolated on white. — Does Maya work at home?Does forms the question; work remains the base form.

Build questions

Question type	Pattern	Example
Yes / No	Do / Does + subject + verb?	Does Maya speak English?
Information	Question word + do / does + subject + verb?	Where do you work?
With be	Am / Is / Are + subject?	Are they ready?

The question word selects the information

A placeWhere does Maya work?

A possible place answer: “At home.”

A timeWhen does Sofia study?

A possible time answer: “In the evening.”

Both questions keep does + subject + base verb after the question word.

Short answers

Do you study every day? Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
Does he drive? Yes, he does. / No, he doesn’t.

Answer with the verb used in the question

An ordinary verbDoes Maya work at home?

Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.

BeIs she available?

Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.

Do not use do with be

The verb be forms its own questions and negatives: She isn’t late. Is she late?

Practice

Transform each statement as instructed.

He watches tutorials. Make it negative.
They work from home. Make a yes/no question.
Sofia studies at night. Ask “When?”
You are available. Make it negative.
Correct: Does he works online?

Check the answers

He doesn’t watch tutorials.
Why: Doesn’t is followed by the base form watch.
Do they work from home?
Why: Use do with they and the base verb work.
When does Sofia study?
Why: Use when + does + subject + base verb.
You aren’t available.
Why: Be makes its own negative without do.
Does he work online?
Why: Does carries the third-person marking; use work, not works.

Optional extension: a longer speaking task

Tell your teacher three things you normally do and two things you do not do. Your teacher asks follow-up questions and guesses which statement is false. Then exchange roles.

For a broader overview, visit Present Simple Tense A2.

Preserved lesson scene for She doesn’t work on Sundays. People and essential props isolated on white. — She doesn’t work on Sundays.Doesn’t carries the negative; work stays in the base form. Sunday is supplied by the sentence.

Practise this skill in a personalized lesson

Use these ideas in conversation, receive precise correction and build confidence with material adapted to your goals.

Choose a lesson platform Read student experiences

Separate an action from a description

An actionShe doesn’t work on Sundays.

Use doesn’t + the base form work.

A descriptionShe isn’t a doctor; she’s a designer.

Use be for the description. Isn’t means is not.