Do vs. Does vs. Am vs. Is vs. Are – Which is Correct?

The correct usage of ‘do,’ ‘does,’ ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ depends entirely on subject-verb agreement, person, and number. All five words are grammatically correct forms of the verbs ‘to do’ or ‘to be,’ serving as either auxiliary (helping) verbs or main verbs to convey actions, states of being, questions, or negative statements.

Understanding ‘Do,’ ‘Does,’ ‘Am,’ ‘Is,’ and ‘Are’

These five verbs are cornerstones of English grammar, essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences. While often confused, their roles are distinct yet interconnected, primarily revolving around subject-verb agreement, which dictates how a verb changes to match its subject in terms of person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural). ‘Do’ and ‘does’ are forms of the verb ‘to do,’ typically used for actions, questions, and negative statements. ‘Am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ are forms of the verb ‘to be,’ used to describe states of being, identity, location, or to form continuous tenses and the passive voice.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference: Subject-Verb Agreement

The most powerful trick to master ‘do,’ ‘does,’ ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ is to consistently apply the rule of subject-verb agreement. Simply identify the subject of your sentence and determine if it is singular or plural, and which person it is (first, second, or third). The verb form must always match its subject.

To further refine your understanding of sentence structure, exploring the distinctions between Subject vs. Object can be highly beneficial.

• For ‘To Do’ verbs:
  • Use ‘do’ with first-person singular (I), second-person singular/plural (you), first-person plural (we), third-person plural (they), and plural nouns.
  • Use ‘does’ with third-person singular (he, she, it) and singular nouns.
• For ‘To Be’ verbs:
  • Use ‘am’ exclusively with first-person singular (I).
  • Use ‘is’ with third-person singular (he, she, it) and singular nouns.
  • Use ‘are’ with second-person singular/plural (you), first-person plural (we), third-person plural (they), and plural nouns.

Verb	Primary Function	Subject Agreement	Example
Do	Auxiliary (questions, negatives, emphasis); Main (perform action)	I, You, We, They, Plural Nouns	I do my best. / They do not understand.
Does	Auxiliary (questions, negatives, emphasis); Main (perform action)	He, She, It, Singular Nouns	He does his homework. / Does she like coffee?
Am	Auxiliary (continuous tenses); Main (state of being, identity)	I	I am learning. / I am happy.
Is	Auxiliary (continuous tenses); Main (state of being, identity)	He, She, It, Singular Nouns	She is a doctor. / The dog is sleeping.
Are	Auxiliary (continuous tenses); Main (state of being, identity)	You, We, They, Plural Nouns	You are kind. / We are going home.

The Verb ‘To Do’: ‘Do’ and ‘Does’

The verb ‘to do’ is incredibly versatile in English, functioning both as an auxiliary (helping) verb and a main verb. Understanding its forms ‘do’ and ‘does’ is crucial for constructing questions, negative sentences, and for adding emphasis.

As an auxiliary verb, ‘do’ (or ‘does’) precedes a main verb to form:

• Questions: Do you like pizza? / Does she live here?
• Negative sentences: I do not understand. / He does not care.
• Emphasis: I do believe you. / She does look tired.

As a main verb, ‘do’ (or ‘does’) means to perform an action, accomplish a task, or create something.

Example 1 (‘Do’ – Auxiliary): We do not have enough time to finish the project.

Example 2 (‘Do’ – Main Verb): Please do your chores before you play video games.

Example 3 (‘Does’ – Auxiliary): Does your cat usually sleep all day?

Example 4 (‘Does’ – Main Verb): She always does her best, even when the task is difficult.

What are the different forms of ‘Do’ and ‘Does’?

‘Do’ is an irregular verb with several forms:

• Base Form: do
• Third-person singular present: does (e.g., he/she/it does)
• Past Simple: did (e.g., I/you/he/she/it/we/they did)
• Past Participle: done (used with ‘have’ or ‘be’, e.g., have done, is done)
• Present Participle / Gerund: doing (e.g., is doing, doing homework)

Etymology of the word ‘Do’

The word ‘do’ comes from the Old English word dōn, meaning ‘to do, make, act, perform.’ Its roots can be traced back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European origins, highlighting its ancient and fundamental role in language across many cultures.

The Verb ‘To Be’: ‘Am,’ ‘Is,’ and ‘Are’

The verb ‘to be’ is perhaps the most irregular and frequently used verb in English, with ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ being its present tense forms. It is fundamental for expressing existence, identity, characteristics, and location, and also serves as a crucial auxiliary verb.

As an auxiliary verb, ‘to be’ (in its ‘am,’ ‘is,’ ‘are’ forms) helps to construct:

• Continuous tenses: I am reading a book. / They are working late.
• Passive voice: The ball is thrown by the boy. / Mistakes are made.

As a main verb, ‘to be’ connects a subject to a description, a noun, or a location.

Example 1 (‘Am’): I am a student at the local university. (Identity)

Example 2 (‘Is’): The weather is beautiful today. (State)

Example 3 (‘Are’): You are welcome to join us for dinner. (Condition)

Example 4 (‘Are’): Our neighbors are very friendly. (Characteristic)

What are the different forms of ‘Am,’ ‘Is,’ and ‘Are’?

‘To be’ is highly irregular and has the most forms of any English verb:

• Base Form: be
• Present Simple: am (I), is (he/she/it/singular), are (you/we/they/plural)
• Past Simple: was (I/he/she/it/singular), were (you/we/they/plural)
• Past Participle: been (used with ‘have’ or ‘had’, e.g., have been, had been)
• Present Participle / Gerund: being (e.g., is being, being careful)

Etymology of the word ‘Be’

The verb ‘to be’ has a complex etymology, drawing from multiple Old English roots: bēon (to be, exist), eom (I am), and eart (you are). These, in turn, derive from Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots that conveyed notions of growing, existing, and sitting. This explains its highly irregular conjugations in modern English.

Related Concepts

Understanding ‘do,’ ‘does,’ ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ is significantly enhanced by grasping broader grammatical concepts that govern their use.

• Subject-Verb Agreement: This fundamental rule dictates that the verb in a sentence must match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). Incorrect agreement is a common source of grammatical errors.
• Auxiliary Verbs: Also known as helping verbs, auxiliary verbs (‘do,’ ‘does,’ ‘am,’ ‘is,’ ‘are,’ along with others like ‘have,’ ‘will,’ ‘can’) precede a main verb to form various tenses, moods, or voices. They provide additional information about the main verb without expressing the primary action itself.
• Main Verbs: The main verb in a clause expresses the core action or state of being of the subject. In sentences like “I do my homework” or “She is happy,” ‘do’ and ‘is’ function as main verbs, carrying the primary meaning.

Examples from Media and Literature

These examples illustrate the correct usage of ‘do,’ ‘does,’ ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ in various contexts:

• “What do you mean, ‘where is the ring’?” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (using ‘do’ to form a question)
• “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (using ‘is’ for a state of being and ‘do’ as a main verb)
• “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (using ‘am’ for identity and continuous action)
• “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden (using ‘does’ for a third-person singular action and ‘is’ for a state of being)
• “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere’s Fan (using ‘are’ for a collective state of being)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. My sister _____ not like spicy food. (do / does)
2. They _____ planning a surprise party for their mother. (is / are)
3. I _____ always happy to help my friends. (am / is)
4. What _____ you usually _____ on weekends? (do / does; do / does)
5. He _____ a talented musician, and he _____ his own songs. (am / is; do / does)

Answer Key

1. does
2. are
3. am
4. do; do
5. is; does

Synonyms for ‘Do’ (as a Main Verb)

When ‘do’ acts as a main verb, implying performance or execution, it can be replaced by several synonyms depending on the context.

Synonym	Definition
Perform	Carry out, accomplish, or fulfill an action, task, or function.
Execute	Put a plan, order, or course of action into effect.
Accomplish	Achieve or complete successfully.
Carry out	Perform a task or action as specified.
Undertake	Take on (a task or responsibility).

Synonyms for ‘Be’ (as a Main Verb)

When ‘be’ acts as a main verb, particularly in the sense of existence or occurrence, it has several synonyms.

Synonym	Definition
Exist	Have objective reality or being.
Live	Be alive; have life.
Occur	Happen; take place.
Remain	Continue to be in the same state; stay.
Happen	Take place, especially without being planned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What is the main difference between ‘do/does’ and ‘am/is/are’?
The primary distinction lies in their function: ‘do/does’ primarily relate to actions, questions, and negation, often when the main verb is not ‘to be’. ‘Am/is/are’ (forms of ‘to be’) describe states of being, identity, characteristics, or form continuous tenses and the passive voice. While ‘do’ verbs are about what someone *performs*, ‘be’ verbs are about what someone *is* or *exists as*.

Question 2: Can ‘do’ and ‘be’ verbs be used in the same sentence?
Yes, absolutely. They can appear in the same sentence when fulfilling different grammatical roles. For example: “I do not want to be late.” (Here, ‘do’ is an auxiliary for ‘want’, and ‘be’ is an infinitive main verb.) Or: “He does not like being interrupted.”

Question 3: How do I choose between ‘is’ and ‘are’?
The choice depends on the subject’s number: use ‘is’ for singular subjects (he, she, it, a book, the cat) and ‘are’ for plural subjects (we, they, you, books, cats). Remember that ‘you’ always takes ‘are’, whether referring to one person or many.

Question 4: When should I use ‘does’ instead of ‘do’?
Use ‘does’ when the subject is third-person singular (he, she, it, or any singular noun like ‘the student,’ ‘my dog,’ ‘the company’). Use ‘do’ for all other subjects: first-person singular and plural (I, we), second-person singular and plural (you), and third-person plural (they, the students, the dogs).

Conclusion

Mastering the correct usage of ‘do,’ ‘does,’ ‘am,’ ‘is,’ and ‘are’ is fundamental to achieving fluency and accuracy in English. While each form has specific rules governing its application, the overarching principle of subject-verb agreement serves as your most reliable guide. By paying close attention to the subject of your sentence—its person and number—you can confidently select the appropriate verb form to convey your intended meaning, whether describing an action, a state of being, asking a question, or forming a negative statement. Pro Tip: Always double-check your subject and verb for agreement; this small step can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing and speech.