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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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does he works

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does he works" is not correct in written English.
It should be "does he work" as "does" already indicates the present tense. Example: "Does he work at the new office downtown?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But before he does, he works him over a little.

News & Media

The New York Times

When he finally does, he works eagerly and at the end of two hours, he really finds that he liked it very much.

News & Media

The New Yorker

When he does, he works with the media to make sense of it and point out fraud, waste and abuse.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

WHERE does he work?

News & Media

The New York Times

Does he work on television?

News & Media

Independent

Does he work for the money?

Where does he work – the Department of Obnoxiousness?

Who does he work for?" The customer replies, "Verizon".

News & Media

The New York Times

Does he work less, work the same, or work more?

News & Media

Forbes

Does he work in a particularly volatile industry?

News & Media

Huffington Post

"What show does he work for?" Troy asked.

News & Media

Vice
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after the auxiliary verb "does" in questions. The auxiliary verb already carries the tense and person information.

Common error

Avoid adding an "-s" to the main verb when using "does" in a question. "Does" already indicates the third-person singular present tense, so the main verb remains in its base form.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does he works" is an interrogative construction intended to inquire about someone's employment or work status. However, it contains a grammatical error, as the verb "works" should be in its base form after the auxiliary verb "does". As Ludwig AI points out, the auxiliary verb "does" already indicates the present tense.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does he works" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "does he work?" The error stems from the incorrect conjugation of the verb after the auxiliary verb "does". Always use the base form of the verb after "does" in questions. As Ludwig AI highlights, using the correct grammatical form ensures clarity and professionalism in communication. While the intent might be understood in informal settings, it is essential to avoid this error in formal or professional contexts.

FAQs

What is the correct way to ask if someone works?

The correct way to ask if someone works is to use the phrase "does he work?" The auxiliary verb "does" already indicates the third-person singular present tense, so the main verb should be in its base form.

What's the difference between "does he work" and "does he works"?

"Does he work" is grammatically correct, while "does he works" is incorrect. The auxiliary verb "does" already carries the tense and person information, so the main verb should not have an "-s" ending.

What are some alternatives to asking "does he work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is he employed?", "does he have a job?", or "what does he do for a living?"

How can I remember to use the correct verb form after "does"?

Remember that "does" is used with the base form of the verb. Think of "does" as already doing the job of conjugating the verb for the third-person singular. So, always use the infinitive without "to" after "does".

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: