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Don't, Doesn't, Singular, Plural, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person Subjects
Question
When should I use don't and doesn't?
I ____ like apples.
My friend ____ eat fish.
This college ____ have a sports hall.
Ahmed and Natasha ____ live in Sharjah.
The university ____ need lazy students.
Her parents ____ let her go to the mall alone.
—
L.
,
Oman
Answer
Use "doesn't" with a 3rd person singular subject. With all other subjects use "don't." Below is a table showing this:
|
|
singular |
plural |
|
1st person |
I don't |
we don't |
|
2nd person |
you don't |
you (all) don't |
|
3rd person |
he/she/it doesn't |
they don't |
First, identify which person and number each subject is:
I (1st person singular) ____ like apples.
My friend (3rd person singular) ____ eat fish.
This college (3rd person singular) ____ have a sports hall.
Ahmed and Natasha (3rd person plural) ____ live in Sharjah.
The university (3rd person singular) ____ need lazy students.
Her parents (3rd person plural) ____ let her go to the mall alone.
Now match the subject with the correct verb form:
I don't like apples.
My friend doesn't eat fish.
This college doesn't have a sports hall.
Ahmed and Natasha don't live in Sharjah.
The university doesn't need lazy students.
Her parents don't let her go to the mall alone.
I hope this helps.
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