questions in english

Question

I never know when to use the verb 'do' and the verb 'be' in questions.For example why I say 'Are you a teacher?' and 'Do you teach?'..why I say Where did you live?' and Where were you born?'thanks

Goodman · Accepted Answer

Your question is kind of vague but I will try to cover what I thought you liked to know.

It depends on how we structure the question ,we can ask “ are you an English teacher?” which is equivalent to “do you teach English for a living”.

Where were you born? – this is always expressed in past tense, because your birth took place in the past.

As for the “do” question, we can say “what do you do for a living?” which in essence means “what is your profession?”

Where did you live ? –By itself, this is an incomplete question because when you refer back in time with the context of the question, you need to make it complete with a modifier clause, i.e. [ when you were a child] or [ when you first came to the ]

BarbaraPA · Answer

If the statement uses a form of the verb "to be" or another linking verb, use "to be" as the question word.

I am happy. Are you happy?
He is a teacher. Is he a teacher?
You look tired. Are you tired?
It seems too expensive. Is it too expensive?

If the statement uses another verb, use "to do" to form your question.

I like to ski. Do you like to cross-county ski or downhill ski?
He write as a hobby. Does he write children's stories?
I teach English. Do you teach at the local high school?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousFor example why I say 'Are you a teacher?' and 'Do you teach?'...

1. Use a form of be if a noun or adjective follows the subject you.

Are you a teacher? Are you tired? Were you the leader of the group? Why were you late?
2. Use a form of be if a verb with -ing follows the subject you.
Are you studying English? What were you reading?
3. Use a form of do if the base form of the verb follows the subject you.
Where do you live? What did you eat? Do you like to dance?
___
born is a special case. It is the past participle of the verb to bear. The idiom is "to be born".
Past participles can often be treated the same as adjectives (See 1. above.) Here are some examples with past participles.

Where were you born? When were you seen? Why are you always invited to those parties?
CJ

Goodman · Answer

CJ,
You amazed me with every explanation!

CalifJim · Answer

questions in english

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions