Verb To Do helps you communicate about tasks and auxiliary support for simple-tense questions and negatives. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use do as a main verb and as an auxiliary in questions and negatives.
- Recognise and build the form: do/does/did + base verb.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Verb To Do for tasks and auxiliary support for simple-tense questions and negatives. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
I do my homework after dinner.
Use 'do' as the main verb with 'I' for a routine.
She does the shopping on Saturdays.
Use 'does' as the main verb with a third-person singular subject.
We did the cleaning yesterday.
Use 'did' as the past form of the main verb 'do'.
do/does/did + base verbKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'do' as the main verb with 'I' for a routine.
- Use 'does' as the main verb with a third-person singular subject.
- Use 'did' as the past form of the main verb 'do'.
- Use auxiliary 'Do' for a present-simple question with 'they'.
- Use 'does not + base verb' with a third-person singular subject.
Common mistakes
Not:I does my homework after dinner.
Use:I do my homework after dinner.
Use 'do' as the main verb with 'I' for a routine.
Not:She do the shopping on Saturdays.
Use:She does the shopping on Saturdays.
Use 'does' as the main verb with a third-person singular subject.
Not:We do the cleaning yesterday.
Use:We did the cleaning yesterday.
Use 'did' as the past form of the main verb 'do'.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
____ they work here?
Do
Use auxiliary 'Do' for a present-simple question with 'they'.
He ____ not understand the rule.
does
Use 'does not + base verb' with a third-person singular subject.
Why ____ you leave early yesterday?
did
Use 'did' to form a past-simple question.