• 1. If there is no “is / are / was / were”, you usually need do / does / did.

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     1. The core difference (in one sentence)

     • IS is a form of the verb to be
       [IS ist eine Form des Verbs „sein“]

     • DO is an auxiliary (helper) verb used with other verbs
       [DO ist ein Hilfsverb, das mit anderen Verben verwendet wird]

     👉 The key question is always:
     Is there a real verb in the sentence — or only “be”?
     [Die entscheidende Frage ist immer: Gibt es ein richtiges Verb im Satz – oder nur „sein“?]

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     2. When do I use IS?

     Use IS when the main verb is “to be”.
     [Verwende IS, wenn das Hauptverb „sein“ ist.]

     This happens when you talk about:
     [Das ist der Fall, wenn du über Folgendes sprichst:]

     • identity
       [Identität]

     • condition – it’s cold today
       [Zustand – es ist heute kalt]

     • age – I am old
       [Alter – ich bin alt]

     • job – I am a teacher
       [Beruf – ich bin Lehrer]

     • location – I am in England
       [Ort – ich bin in England]

     • feelings – How are you?
       [Gefühle – Wie geht es dir?]

     • descriptions – The dog is big and black
       [Beschreibungen – Der Hund ist groß und schwarz]

     Examples (statements → questions)

     • He is tired. → Is he tired?
       [Er ist müde. → Ist er müde?]

     • She is a teacher. → Is she a teacher?
       [Sie ist Lehrerin. → Ist sie Lehrerin?]

     • It is cold. → Is it cold?
       [Es ist kalt. → Ist es kalt?]

     • The shop is open. → Is the shop open?
       [Der Laden ist offen. → Ist der Laden offen?]

     👉 Rule:
     If the sentence already has is / are / was / were, DO is NOT used.
     [Wenn der Satz bereits is / are / was / were enthält, wird DO NICHT verwendet.]

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     3. When do I use DO?

     Use DO / DOES when there is a normal verb
     (work, live, like, play, eat, etc.).
     [Verwende DO / DOES, wenn es ein normales Verb gibt (arbeiten, wohnen, mögen, spielen, essen usw.).]

     Examples

     • You live here. → Do you live here?
       [Du wohnst hier. → Wohnst du hier?]

     • She works here. → Does she work here?
       [Sie arbeitet hier. → Arbeitet sie hier?]

     • They like coffee. → Do they like coffee?
       [Sie mögen Kaffee. → Mögen sie Kaffee?]

     👉 Rule:
     If the main verb is not “be”, you need do / does to form questions and negatives.
     [Wenn das Hauptverb nicht „sein“ ist, brauchst du do / does für Fragen und Verneinungen.]

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     4. Simple comparison (very important)

     Sentence type

     Example

     Question

     BE verb

     She is tired.

     Is she tired?

     Normal verb

     She works here.

     Does she work here?

     ❌ Is she work here?
     ✅ Does she work here?

     [❌ Ist sie arbeitet hier?
     ✅ Arbeitet sie hier?]

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     5. A quick test you can always use

     Ask yourself:
     [Stell dir immer diese Fragen:]

     👉 Can I answer with an adjective or a noun?
     → use IS
     [Kann ich mit einem Adjektiv oder Substantiv antworten? → IS verwenden]

     • tired → Is he tired?
       [Ist er müde?]

     • a teacher → Is she a teacher?
       [Ist sie Lehrerin?]

     • ready → Is it ready?
       [Ist es fertig?]

     👉 Do I need an action verb?
     → use DO / DOES
     [Brauche ich ein Tätigkeitsverb? → DO / DOES verwenden]

     • work → Does she work here?
       [Arbeitet sie hier?]

     • live → Do you live here?
       [Wohnst du hier?]

     • like → Do they like coffee?
       [Mögen sie Kaffee?]

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     6. Mini practice (quick check)

     Choose IS or DO / DOES:
     [Wähle IS oder DO / DOES:]

     1. ___ he happy? → Is
        [Ist er glücklich?]

     2. ___ she live near here? → Does
        [Wohnt sie hier in der Nähe?]

     3. ___ the meeting today? → Is
        [Ist das Meeting heute?]

     4. ___ they need help? → Do
        [Brauchen sie Hilfe?]

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     7. One-sentence rule to remember

     If the verb is “be”, use IS (am, is, are).
     [Wenn das Verb „sein“ ist, verwende IS (am, is, are).]

     If the verb is anything else, use DO (do / does).
     [Wenn es ein anderes Verb ist, verwende DO (do / does).]

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     8. What is a simple question?

     A simple question:
     [Eine einfache Frage:]

     • usually asks for basic information
       [fragt meist nach grundlegenden Informationen]

     • uses one verb
       [verwendet ein Verb]

     • follows a clear word order
       [folgt einer klaren Wortstellung]

     • expects a short answer
       [erwartet eine kurze Antwort]

     Examples

     • Do you play football?
       [Spielst du Fußball?]

     • Is it cold today?
       [Ist es heute kalt?]

     • Auxiliary verbs
       [Hilfsverben]

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     9. The basic types of simple questions

     1️⃣ Yes / No questions

     Answer: Yes or No
     [Antwort: Ja oder Nein]

     Form:

     • Do / Does + subject + verb?

     • Is / Are + subject?

     Examples:

     • Do you work here?
       [Arbeitest du hier?]

     • Does she speak English?
       [Spricht sie Englisch?]

     • Is it raining?
       [Regnet es?]

     • Are they ready?
       [Sind sie bereit?]

     ---

     2️⃣ Choice questions

     Answer: one option
     [Antwort: eine Auswahl]

     Form:

     • Question + or + option?

     Examples:

     • Do you want tea or coffee?
       [Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee?]

     • Is the meeting today or tomorrow?
       [Ist das Meeting heute oder morgen?]

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     10. Common mistakes learners make

     ❌ She works here?
     ✅ Does she work here?

     ❌ He like pizza?
     ✅ Does he like pizza?

     👉 Key rule:
     If there is no is / are / was / were, you usually need do / does / did.
     [Wenn es kein is / are / was / were gibt, brauchst du normalerweise do / does / did.]

     ---

     ---

      

1. ___ the song still relevant today? (Is / Does)
   (description)
   [Ist das Lied heute noch relevant?]

2. Does Bob Dylan ask questions instead of giving answers? (Does / Is)
   (action)
   [Stellt Bob Dylan Fragen, statt Antworten zu geben?]

3. Is the answer clear in the song? (Is / Does)
   (state)
   [Ist die Antwort im Lied klar?]

4. Does the song talk about freedom and peace? (Does / Is)
   (action)
   [Spricht das Lied über Freiheit und Frieden?]

5. Is the message simple but powerful? (Is / Does)
   (description)
   [Ist die Botschaft einfach, aber kraftvoll?]

6. Does Dylan sing in a calm, gentle voice? (Does / Is)
   (action)
   [Singt Dylan mit einer ruhigen, sanften Stimme?]

7. Is the song famous worldwide? (Is / Does)
   (state)
   [Ist das Lied weltweit bekannt?]

8. Do the lyrics raise moral questions? (Does / Is)
   (action)
   [Werfen die Liedtexte moralische Fragen auf?]

9. Is the wind a symbol in the song? (Is / Does)
   (identity)
   [Ist der Wind ein Symbol im Lied?]

10. Does the song give direct solutions? (Does / Is)
    (action)
    [Gibt das Lied direkte Lösungen?]

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 (Is / Does)

11. Does the song make people think? (Does / Is)
    (action)
    [Bringt das Lied Menschen zum Nachdenken?]

12. Is Dylan a protest singer in this song? (Is / Does)
    (identity)
    [Ist Dylan in diesem Lied ein Protestsänger?]

13. Do the lyrics repeat the same question? (Do / Is)
    (action – plural)
    [Wiederholen die Texte dieselbe Frage?]

14. Is the answer emotional or logical? (Is / Does)
    (description)
    [Ist die Antwort emotional oder logisch?]

15. Does the song belong to the 1960s? (Does / Is)
    (state)
    [Gehört das Lied zu den 1960er-Jahren?]

16. Does the message still matter today? (Does / Is)
    (action)
    [Ist die Botschaft heute noch wichtig?]

17. Does the song sound simple on the surface? (Does / Is)
    (action)
    [Klingt das Lied oberflächlich einfach?]

18. Does the wind represent un-answered questions? (Does / Is)
    (action)
    [Steht der Wind für unbeantwortete Fragen?]

19. Is the song timeless? (Is / Does)
    (description)
    [Ist das Lied zeitlos?]

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1. What does CAN do in questions?

In questions, can is used to ask about:

• ability (skills)

• possibility

• permission

• requests (polite, everyday English)

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2. Basic structure (very simple)

CAN + subject + verb (base form)?

👉 The verb is always the base form (no -s, no -ing, no to).

Examples:

• Can you swim?

• Can she drive?

• Can they help us?

❌ Can she swims?
✅ Can she swim?

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3. Using CAN for ability

Ask what someone is able to do.

• Can you play the guitar?

• Can he speak French?

• Can she work at night?

Short answers:

• Yes, I can.

• No, I can’t.

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4. Using CAN for permission

Ask if something is allowed.

• Can I sit here?

• Can we leave early?

• Can he use your phone?

👉 Very common in spoken English.
(May is more formal, but can is normal and correct.)

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5. Using CAN for requests

Polite everyday requests.

• Can you help me?

• Can you open the window?

• Can you explain this again?

👉 Tone matters more than grammar here.
“Can you…?” = friendly and normal.

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6. Using CAN for possibility

Ask if something is possible.

• Can this work?

• Can it be true?

• Can we finish today?

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7. CAN vs DO / IS (important contrast)

Type

Example question

CAN (ability)

Can you drive?

DO (action, habit)

Do you drive every day?

IS (state/description)

Is driving easy for you?

👉 CAN replaces do / does in questions.
Never use them together.

❌ Do you can swim?
✅ Can you swim?

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8. Word order reminder

Can always comes first in questions:

• Can you…

• Can she…

• Can they…

❌ You can help me? (spoken informal, but not correct grammar)
✅ Can you help me?

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9. Quick practice (check yourself)

Choose the correct form:

1. ___ you help me? → Can

2. ___ she work late today? → Can

3. ___ they understand the problem? → Can

4. ___ I ask a question? → Can

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10. One rule to remember

Use CAN + base verb to ask about ability, permission, requests, or possibility.

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IS questions (state / description)

1. Is it cold today?

2. Is she at home?

3. Is the shop open?

4. Is he tired?

5. Is this your bag?

6. Is the lesson easy?

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DO / DOES questions (actions / habits)

7. Do you live near here?

8. Do they like coffee?

9. Do you work on Mondays?

10. Does she speak English?

11. Does he drive to work?

12. Do we start now?

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CAN questions (ability / permission / requests)

13. Can you help me?

14. Can she swim?

15. Can we sit here?

16. Can they hear you?

17. Can I ask a question?

18. Can he come today?

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1. ___ it cold today? (Is / Do)
   (state)
   [Ist es heute kalt?]

2. ___ you live near here? (Do / Is)
   (action)
   [Wohnst du hier in der Nähe?]

3. ___ she speak English? (Does / Is)
   (action)
   [Spricht sie Englisch?]

4. ___ I ask a question? (Can / Do)
   (permission)
   [Kann ich eine Frage stellen?]

5. ___ the shop open now? (Is / Does)
   (state)
   [Ist das Geschäft jetzt geöffnet?]

6. ___ they like this song? (Do / Are)
   (action)
   [Mögen sie dieses Lied?]

7. ___ he tired after work? (Is / Does)
   (state)
   [Ist er nach der Arbeit müde?]

8. ___ you help me, please? (Can / Do)
   (request)
   [Kannst du mir bitte helfen?]

9. ___ she work on Mondays? (Does / Is)
   (action)
   [Arbeitet sie montags?]

10. ___ this your seat? (Is / Do)
    (identity)
    [Ist das dein Platz?]

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___ we start now? (Do / Can)
(possibility)
[Können wir jetzt anfangen?]

11. ___ the lesson easy? (Is / Does)
    (description)
    [Ist die Lektion einfach?]

12. ___ they understand the question? (Do / Are)
    (action)
    [Verstehen sie die Frage?]

13. ___ he drive a car? (Can / Does)
    (ability)
    [Kann er Auto fahren?]

14. ___ she at home today? (Is / Does)
    (state)
    [Ist sie heute zu Hause?]

15. ___ you drink coffee in the morning? (Do / Are)
    (habit)
    [Trinkst du morgens Kaffee?]

16. ___ I sit here? (Can / Do)
    (permission)
    [Kann ich hier sitzen?]

17. ___ the answers clear? (Are / Do)
    (description – plural)
    [Sind die Antworten klar?]

18. ___ he need help? (Does / Is)
    (action)
    [Braucht er Hilfe?]

19. ___ this correct? (Is / Do)
    (state)
    [Ist das korrekt?]

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1. ___ I leave now? (May / Do)
   (permission)
   [Darf ich jetzt gehen?]

2. ___ he finish the work today? (Must / Is)
   (obligation)
   [Muss er die Arbeit heute beenden?]

3. ___ the rule clear? (Is / Must)
   (state)
   [Ist die Regel klar?]

4. ___ you help me later? (Could / Do)
   (polite request)
   [Könntest du mir später helfen?]

5. ___ she work tomorrow? (Does / Will)
   (future)
   [Arbeitet sie morgen?]

6. ___ we be quiet here? (Must / Are)
   (obligation)
   [Müssen wir hier leise sein?]

7. ___ the answer correct? (Is / Should)
   (state)
   [Ist die Antwort richtig?]

8. ___ you need help? (Do / Can)
   (possibility)
   [Brauchst du Hilfe?]

9. ___ he follow the rules? (Must / Does)
   (obligation)
   [Muss er die Regeln befolgen?]

10. ___ this meeting necessary? (Is / Do)
    (state)
    [Ist dieses Treffen notwendig?]

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___ I open the window? (Can / Do)
(permission)
[Kann ich das Fenster öffnen?]

11. ___ she be at work today? (Will / Is)
    (future)
    [Wird sie heute bei der Arbeit sein?]

12. ___ they have to pay now? (Do / Have to)
    (obligation)
    [Müssen sie jetzt bezahlen?]

13. ___ the instructions easy to follow? (Are / Should)
    (description)
    [Sind die Anweisungen leicht zu befolgen?]

14. ___ you study tonight? (Will / Do)
    (future intention)
    [Wirst du heute Abend lernen?]

15. ___ he drive in the city? (Can / Is)
    (ability)
    [Kann er in der Stadt fahren?]

16. ___ the problem serious? (Is / Must)
    (state)
    [Ist das Problem ernst?]

17. ___ we wait here? (Should / Do)
    (advice)
    [Sollen wir hier warten?]

18. ___ she remember his name? (Does / Can)
    (ability)
    [Kann sie sich an seinen Namen erinnern?]

19. ___ this be finished today? (Can / Is)
    (possibility)
    [Kann das heute fertig werden?]