How to use "does" and "do"

Question

hi.which of these two sentences are true grammatically ? (and why?)1-what causes floods?2-what does cause floods?and1-what kind of natural forces does cause the greatest loss of life?2-what kind of natural forces causes the greatest loss of life?thanks in advance

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Persian LearnerWhich of these two sentences are correct grammatically?

What causes floods?
What kind of natural force causes the greatest loss of life?

Persian Learner · Answer

thanks for you answer sir.

can ask why? and how can i recognize this on the later similar positions?

Mister Micawber · Answer

When 'what' is the subject, use the inflected verb: What causes rain? Who likes spinach?
When 'what' is the object, use the 'do' operator: What do bears eat? Who does Mary like?

Persian Learner · Answer

thanks a lot my Master.

i have one more question.

in the following sentence you said:

Who does Mary like?

we shouldn't use whom instead of who?

forgive my boldness my dear teacher.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Persian Learnerwe shouldn't use whom instead of who?

It is not used in informal conversation at all nowadays. In very formal writing only, please use 'whom'. Here is what the Oxford dictionaries online say:

There’s a continuing debate in English usage about when you should use who and when to use whom. According to the rules of formal grammar, who should be used in the subject position in a sentence, while whom should be used in the object position, and also after a preposition. For example:

Who made this decision? [here, who is the subject of the sentence]
Whom do you think we should support? [here, whom is the object of support]
To whom do you wish to speak? [here, whom is following the preposition to]

Some people do still follow these rules but there are many more who never use whom at all. The normal practice in current English is to use who in all contexts, i.e.:

Who do you think we should support?
Who do you wish to speak to?

Persian Learner · Answer

thank you very much indeed.

How to use "does" and "do"

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