"Yes/No Questions" en Inglés usando "does"

The ability to formulate questions correctly is fundamental to mastering any language. In English, simple questions or "yes/no questions" follow specific patterns that vary according to the subject we use. After learning how to ask questions with "I", "you", "we" and "they", it is time to learn how to ask questions with the pronouns "he", "she" and "it", which require a particular structure and attention to certain grammatical details.

How to formulate questions with "he", "she" and "it"?

To transform an affirmative sentence into a question when the subject is "he", "she" or "it", we need to follow a specific structure. Unlike other pronouns that use "do", with the third person singular we use "does".

Let's look at some examples:

• Statement: She speaks Spanish.

• Question: Does she speak Spanish?

• Statement: He speaks Spanish.

• Question: Does he speak Spanish?

• Statement: It speaks Spanish.

• Question: Does it speak Spanish?

It is important to note that when we transform an affirmative sentence into a question, the main verb loses the "-s", "-es" or "-ies" ending that it normally has in third person singular sentences.

More examples:

• Affirmation: She goes to school.

• Question: Does she go to school?

• Statement: He goes to school.

• Question: Does he go to school?

• Statement: It goes to school.

• Question: Does it go to school?

What is the correct structure for these questions?

The structure for asking questions with "he", "she" and "it" follows this pattern:

1. We begin with "does" (auxiliary).
2. followed by the subject ("he", "she" or "it")
3. Then the verb in its base form (without "-s", "-es", or "-ies").
4. The complement or the rest of the information
5. We end with a question mark.

For example:

• Does she play soccer?
  • Does = auxiliary
  • she = subject
  • play = verb (without "-s")
  • soccer = complement
  • ? = question mark

Remember to raise the intonation at the end of the question when you pronounce it.

How to answer these questions?

The answers to these simple questions or "yes/no questions" are, as the name suggests, affirmative or negative.

The structure for answering is:

1. Yes/No
2. Subject (he, she, it)
3. Does (for affirmative answers) or doesn't (for negative answers).

Examples:

• Does she speak Spanish?

  • Yes, she does.
  • No, she doesn't.

• Does he speak Spanish?

  • Yes, he does.
  • No, he doesn't.

• Does it speak Spanish?

  • Yes, it does.
  • No, it doesn't.

Remember that "doesn't" is a contraction of "does not", which makes your answer more natural and fluent.

How to practice with different verbs?

We can apply this structure with any verb. Let's see some examples:

1. Watch TV

   • Does she watch TV?
   • Does he watch TV?
   • Does it watch TV?

2. Eat dinner

   • Does she eat dinner?
   • Does he eat dinner?
   • Does it eat dinner?

3. Study English

   • Does she study English?
   • Does he study English?
   • Does it study English?

4. Take a shower

   • Does she take a shower?
   • Does he take a shower?
   • Does it take a shower?

5. Work

   • Does she work?
   • Does he work?
   • Does it work?

What are the common mistakes when asking these questions?

When asking questions with "he", "she" and "it", it is common to make these mistakes:

1. Using "do" instead of "does".

   • Incorrect: Do she speak Spanish?
   • Correct: Does she speak Spanish?

2. Keeping the "-s", "-es" or "-ies" in the main verb

   • Incorrect: Does he speak Spanish?
   • Correct: Does he speak Spanish?

3. Answer incorrectly

   • Incorrect: Yes, he sings (when the question is "Does he sing?")
   • Correct: Yes, he does.

Mastering the structure of questions with "he", "she" and "it" will allow you to communicate more fluently and accurately in English. Constant practice is key to internalize these grammatical rules. Are you encouraged to create your own questions and answers using this structure? Share your examples in the comments section and keep practicing to improve your English proficiency.