ABA Journal The digital English academy
Do you know what an auxiliary verb is? Well, simply put an auxiliary verb is a verb which “helps” the main verb when forming a sentence or a question.
The verb “to do” can be used either as a main verb or an auxiliary verb. We are going to look at how to use the auxiliary verb “do” correctly in questions and negations in the present simple.
Negations in the present
The auxiliary “do” is used as “don’t” in the present simple form for negative sentences.
- I don’t do any homework when I get home in the evening
- We don’t play football in the evenings anymore
In the third person the auxiliary verb “do” becomes “doesn’t” in the present simple negative.
- She doesn’t like to work so much
- James doesn’t play in a band anymore
Remember that in the third person singular we do not add an “s” after the main verb because the auxiliary verb indicates the person.
Questions in the present
In present simple questions we simply use the verb in its normal form “do.”
- Do you speak English?
- Do you have any money?
If we answer those questions in an affirmative way we would say
- Do you speak English?
- Yes, I do!
If we answer those questions in a negative way we would say
- Do you have any money?
- No, I don’t
In the third person present simple we change the verb “do” to “does” when making questions.
- Does Steve work in London?
- Does your sister like sushi?
If we were to answer in an affirmative way we would say
- Does steve work in London?
- Yes, he does!
- Does your sister like sushi?
- Yes, she does
If we answer these in a negative way, we would say:
- Does Steve work in London?
- No, he doesn’t
- Does your sister like sushi?
- No, she doesn’t
Well everyone, we hope that today’s post has clearly explained how to use the verb “to do” as an auxiliary verb as well as how to use it in negative sentences.
