Trying To Teach

Question

Hi, i have a new worker at work who for 47 years spoke spanish. Currently she is taking English classes at the college and is passing with a 93%. One of the things she can't get a grasp on is when to use "do" and when to use "are" as in a question.

ex.

Do you work?

Are you working?

And i can't come up with a logical explaination other than "it doesn't sound right with the other word"

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Sometimes these issues can be resolved by converting the question to a statement.

I work.
I am working.

The first is simple present tense, while the second is called "present progressive/continuous tense."
The continuous tense indicates that the action is ongoing.
With some verbs, as in the case of your example, there's not much difference in meaning.

The continuous tense uses the verb "to be," so we don't need another auxilliary when we change it to a question: "Am I working?" (In terms of meaning, this could describe your present activity.)

With the simple present tense, we need to add "do" as an auxilliary, in forming questions or negative statements: "Do I work?" "I don't work." (By comparison here, the meaning could describe your present status.)

Trying To Teach

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions