Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.

I am a non-native English speaker, and one of the things that often trip me is the usage of do vs does(and don't vs doesn't) in speech and writing.

What are the grammar rules around the usage of these verbs?

There was a related question which was closed because it was too localized.

Do vs. does in a statement

Update: Maybe I wasn't clear in my description. I sometimes misuse the words do and does, and would like to know the general rules around when to use these words?

share|improve this question
3  
Does is the third-person singular form of do. If you still have trouble choosing between the two in a particular context, you can ask a specific question about that. – RegDwighт Apr 16 '12 at 9:33
Yes, in other words: I do. You do. He does. She does. It does. We do. You all do. They do. don't = do not, and doesn't = does not. – J.R. Apr 16 '12 at 9:36
2  
Really @RegDwightѬſ道 ? It's either too specific, or too basic. You could have edited my question to suit your taste instead of just blindly closing it. You couldn't even wait for other people to vote on this question. It's a shame that only 1 person decides what's right and wrong. – Anup Apr 16 '12 at 13:53

closed as general reference by RegDwighт Apr 16 '12 at 9:33

This question is too basic; it can be definitively and permanently answered by a single link to a standard internet reference source designed specifically to find that type of information. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.