The primary auxiliary verb ‘do’ takes different forms in different tenses. We shall here see in detail how the ‘do’ verb is used in present tense.
‘Do’ verb, one of the primary auxiliary verbs takes up the forms of ‘do’, ‘does’, ‘done’ and ‘doing’ while forming a present tense sentence. The various forms are used based on the type of the present tense and the type and number of the grammatical person involved in the sentence.
Let us discuss in detail the usage of ‘do’ verb in present tense with the aid of 7 interesting and important facts.
Forms of do verb used in present tense
In the present tense, the do verb takes various forms. We shall get to know about it here.
The do verb takes forms such as do, does, done and doing in the present tense.
| Serial Number | Types Of Present Tense | Form of Do Verb Used |
| 1 | Simple Present Tense | do, does |
| 2 | Present Perfect Tense | have / has + done |
| 3 | Present Perfect Continuous Tense | have / has + been + doing |
| 4 | Present Continuous Tense | is / are + doing |
How do verbs are used in present tense?
These do verbs follow certain rules while they are used in the present tense. Let us now get to know how they are used in present tense.
The do verbs in present tense are capable of performing the roles of both main and auxiliary verb. While used as an auxiliary verb, they are followed by the main verb of the sentence. However, in both ways, the form of do verbs used depends upon the number and the grammatical person of the sentence.
| Serial Number | Number and Person | Affirmative And Negative Sentences | Interrogative Sentences |
| 1 | Singular and plural 1st person | 1. I / we do like the book 2. I / we do not like the book 3. I / we have done the homework. 4. I / we have not done the homework. 5. I/ we are doing the homework. 6. I/ we are not doing the homework. | 1. Do I / we like the book? 2. Do I / we not like the book? 3. Have I / we done the homework? 4. Have I / we not done the homework? 5. Am I / Are we doing the homework? 6. Am I / Are we not doing the homework? |
| 2 | Singular and Plural 2nd person | 1. You do like the book 2. You do not like the book. 3. You have done the homework. 4. You have not done the homework. 5. You are doing the homework. 6. You are not doing the homework. | 1. Do you like the book? 2. Do you not like the book? 3. Have you done the homework? 4. Have you not done the homework? 5. Are you doing the homework? 6. Are you not doing the homework? |
| 3 | Singular and Plural 3rd person | 1. He / she does (not) like the book. 2. They do (not) like the book. 3. He / she has (not) done the homework. 4. They have (not) done the homework. 5. He /she is (not) doing the homework. 6. They are (not) doing the homework. | 1. Does (doesn’t) he/ she like the book? 2. Do (don’t) they like the book? 3. Has he / she (not) done the homework? 4. Have they (not) done the homework? 5. Is he / she (not) doing the homework? 6. Are they (not) doing the homework? |
When do verbs are used in present tense?
Let us explore in detail at what places and at what situations we use do verbs in present tense.
The do verbs are used in present tense both as main verbs and as helping verbs along with the main verbs in order to represent and indicate the actions that are happening at the moment. The Do verbs can be used in present tense to form positive, negative and interrogative sentences.
| Serial Number | Examples | Usage | Explanations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramya does not like ice creams. | Helping verb | In this sentence, the do form ‘does’ is used as a helping verb along with the main verb ‘like’ in the present tense, to denote an action happening now. Since the word ‘not’ is used in the sentence, we get to know that it is a negative sentence. |
| 2 | We do all the work by ourselves. | Main verb | Here, the ‘do’ verb is used as a main verb in the simple present tense as it is denoting to an action that is happening. |
Why do verbs are used in present tense?
There are quite a many reasons why the do verbs are used in present tense. Let us here discuss in detail about these reasons.
The do verbs in present tense can be used as both main verb and auxiliary verbs for various reasons such as forming questions, negative sentences, question tags, emphasis and so on.
Example: Does Vihaan like me?
In this sentence, the do verb ‘does’ is utilized to frame a question in simple present.
Example: Riya has not done the decoration all by herself.
In this sentence, the do verb ‘done’ is used with ‘not’ to frame a negative sentence in present perfect tense.
Example: Zubiya writes poem, doesn’t she?
Here, the do verb ‘doesn’t’ is used to form a question tag in simple present tense.
Example: Yes, Sneha does sing really well.
The do verb, ‘does’ is used here is simple present tense in order to emphasize the fact that Sneha sings well.
Formula and structure of do verbs used in present tense
There are particular formats in which the do verbs should be used in present tense. Here we will explore the formula and structure in which they are used.
The tabular column below will give a detailed understanding about the structure and formula of do verbs used in present tense.
| Serial Number | Type of Present Tense | Positive Sentences | Negative Sentences | Interrogative Sentences |
| 1 | Simple Present Tense | Subject + do / does + remaining part of the sentence | Subject + do / does + not + remaining part of the sentence | Do / does + subject + (not) + remaining part of the sentence |
| 2 | Present perfect Tense and Present Perfect Continuous Tense | a. Subject + have/ has + done + remaining part of the sentence b. Subject + have / has been doing + remaining part of the sentence | a. Subject + have / has + not + done + remaining part of the sentence b. Subject + have / has + not + been doing + remaining part of the sentence | a. Have / Have + subject + (not) + done + remaining part of the sentence b. Have / has + subject + (not) + been doing + remaining part of the sentence |
| 4 | Present continuous Tense | Subject + is / are + doing + remaining part of the sentence. | Subject + is / are + not + doing + remaining part of the sentence | Is / are + subject + (not) + doing + remaining part of the sentence. |
Examples of do verbs used in present tense
For a better understanding of how do verbs are used in present tense, let us go through a few examples.
| Serial Number | Examples | Explanations |
| 1 | Vaibhav does not share his feelings with anybody. | In this sentence, the do verb ‘does’ is used in simple present tense as an auxiliary verb with the main verb ‘share’. The usage of not, makes this a negative sentence. |
| 2 | Do you like thriller movies? | In this sentence, ‘do’ is used in simple present tense to ask a question. |
| 3 | Rihana has done her project. | In this sentence, ‘done’ is utilized as a main verb in present perfect tense. |
| 4 | Surendra is doing yoga now. | Here, ‘doing’ is used as a main verb in present continuous tense. |
| 5 | They do not dance very well, do they? | In this sentence, first ‘do’ is used in simple present tense as an auxiliary verb along with the main verb ‘dance’. The usage of not, makes this a negative sentence. The second ‘do’ is used frame a question. |
| 6 | Kadampari does not eat fruits. | In this sentence, ‘does’ is used in the simple present tense and usage of not along with does makes this a negative sentence. |
| 7 | Of course, they do attend all the meetings. | In this sentence, ‘do’ is used in simple present tense as an auxiliary verb along with the main verb ‘attend’ for the purpose of emphasis. |
| 8 | Lokesh is doing paratta and vegetable curry for dinner. | In this sentence, ‘doing’ is used as a main verb in present continuous tense. |
| 9 | Vikky has been doing this art work since afternoon. | In this sentence, ‘doing’ is used as a main verb along with ‘has’ in present perfect continuous tense. |
| 10 | Does Dinesh visit you every weekend? | In this sentence, ‘does’ is used in simple present tense for the purpose of framing a question. |
| 11 | The students do complete their work on time. | In this sentence, ‘do’ is used in simple present tense as an auxiliary verb along with the main verb ‘complete’. |
Conclusion
Thus, the above article helps us to rightly use the do verbs and its various forms in present tense at correct places.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
You can connect with me through LinkedIn.-
Hi Fellow Reader,
We're a small team at Techiescience, working hard among the big players. If you like what you see, please share our content on social media. Your support makes a big difference. Thank you!