What is the Difference Between Do and Does?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between "do" and "does" lies in their usage with different subjects. Both words are present tense forms of the verb "to do" and are used to carry out actions, form questions, and make positive statements. However, their usage depends on the subject they are associated with:
- "Do" is used with plural subjects like "you," "we," "they," "these," and "those" and is also used with "I" and "we" for first-person plural. For example: "I do my homework as soon as I get home" and "We do yoga every day."
- "Does" is used with singular subjects like "he," "she," "it," "this," "that," and "John". For example: "She does yoga every day" and "John does not like snakes."
Both "do" and "does" can be used in imperative sentences or commands, such as "Do your homework" and "Does your mom like chicken nuggets?". Additionally, they can be used with negative words like "not" or "n't" to form negative sentences. However, their usage remains subject-specific: "do" with plural subjects and "does" with singular subjects.
Comparative Table: Do vs Does
The following table highlights the differences between "do" and "does":
| Feature | Do | Does |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Do is an action verb, representing the simple present form of the verb 'do'. | Does is a conjugation of the verb 'do' used with third person singular present. |
| Subject | Do is used with personal pronouns I, we, you, and they. | Does is used with personal pronouns he, she, and it. |
| Verb Formation | 'Do' is never used with an 's' at the end. | 'Does' is used with an 's' at the end. |
| Examples | I do my homework every day. She does her homework every day. | She does not go to the market every day. Does she go to the market every day? |
In summary, "do" is used with plural nouns and personal pronouns like I, we, you, and they, while "does" is used with singular nouns and personal pronouns like he, she, and it.