8 Present Simple Interrogative
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Introduction
The present simple is the tense used to express permanent situations or events that regularly repeat or always occur.
When expressed in its interrogative form, the verb is used to ask something about the subject.
Form
The simple present tense, in its interrogative form, has this structure:
Do/does + subject + verb + …?
- Do/does: the third person singular changes from do to does;
- Verb: the base form of the verb is the same (without any changes);
- Irregular verb to be: Am I…? – Are you…? – Is she…? …
| Do/Does | Subject | Verb | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do | I | work | …? |
| Do | you | work | …? |
| Does | he | work | …? |
| Does | she | work | …? |
| Does | it | work | …? |
| Do | we | work | …? |
| Do | you | work | …? |
| Do | they | work | …? |
Example
- Planned future
- Do I start my new job on the 17th of June?
- Does the exam period end on the 19th of December?
- Does their daughter arrive in a few days?
- Timetables
- Does the train leave at 7 o’ clock?
- Does the match start at 9 o’ clock tomorrow?
- Do my exams start at 10 o’clock tomorrow?
- Habits/Routines
- Do you usually wake up at 8 o’clock?
- Does he go to the gym twice a week?
- Do we go to good restaurants for lunch?
- Facts
- Does the sun rise from the West?
- Does water boil at 80°C?
- Do unicorns exist?
- Permanent situations (present)
- Do I live in Brussels?
- Does she work in a supermarket?
- Do they play football?
- Promises…
- Do you promise to buy me a new phone?
- Do you swear you’ll go to the doctor?
- Do you promise me you’ll give me your phone number?
- Asking directions and instructions
- How do I get to the library?
- Where do I go?
- How do we get to the train station?
- Completed actions that happen as we speak
- Do the brigades disappear?
- Do the police catch the thief?
- Does Real Madrid recover from two goals down?
- Informal narrative
- Does the Beast transform into a prince?
- Does Snow White fall asleep?
- Does Little Red Riding-Hood meet the wolf?
Use
Present simple, in its interrogative form, is used to ask about:
- Planned future (planned events with given exact date);
- Timetables (planned events with given exact time);
- Habits/routines (something that happens repeatedly in the present);
- Facts (things that are generally true, stated);
- Permanent situations (that have been happening for a while and will be happening in the future);
- Promises;
- Instructions (orders);
- Completed actions that happen as we speak (commentaries);
- Informal narrative (when telling a story).
Summary
We use the present simple, in its interrogative form, to ask about situations that regularly, repeatedly or always occur.
The structure is:
Do/does + subject + verb + …? (does for third person singular)
For example:
— “Do you live in a small flat?” = We use the present simple to ask about a permanent situation.
— “Does the train leave at 6?” = We use the present simple to ask about a timetable.
— “Does water boil at 100 degrees celsius?” = We use the present simple to ask about facts.
NOTE: The verb to be is irregular, so it doesn’t follow the general formation rule for the interrogative form. We put it at the beginning of the sentence to form questions.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
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