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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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does it works

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does it works" is not correct in English.
The correct form is "does it work." You can use this phrase when asking if something functions or operates as intended. Example: "I just installed the new software. Does it work properly?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Whatever Mike Leigh does, it works.

News & Media

Independent

"It's a packaged journalism, so you pick a target like – I don't mean to diminish because anyone who does it works hard – but are railway crossings safe and stuff like that, that's a serious issue but there are other issues too.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Whatever he does, it works.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

"What Coach does, it works," Mata said.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Does it work, though?

News & Media

The New Yorker

Why does it work?

News & Media

The New York Times

But does it work?

So does it work?

News & Media

Forbes

Boy does it work.

News & Media

Independent

No. Does it work?

News & Media

The New Yorker

No. Does it work sometimes?

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct verb form "work" with the auxiliary verb "does". Instead of saying "does it works", ask "does it work".

Common error

Avoid using the third-person singular form of the verb ("works") after "does". The correct structure requires the base form of the verb ("work") after "does".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does it works" is an interrogative construction intended to inquire about the functionality of something. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the correct form is "does it work".

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

The phrase "does it works" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "does it work". As noted by Ludwig AI, the correct form uses the base verb form "work" after the auxiliary verb "does". While "does it works" is not found in reliable sources, understanding its incorrectness is crucial for effective communication. Remember to use "does it work" when inquiring about functionality or effectiveness.

FAQs

What is the correct way to ask if something is functioning?

The correct phrase is "Does it work?" The word "does" is followed by the base form of the verb, which is "work".

Is "does it works" ever correct in English?

No, "does it works" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is always "does it work".

What can I say instead of "does it work"?

You can use alternatives like "is it functioning", "is it operating", or "is it effective" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "does it work" and "is it working"?

"Does it work?" is a general inquiry about functionality, while "is it working?" implies you are asking about its current state of operation. For example, "Does this software work on Windows 10?" vs. "Is the printer working now that you fixed it?"

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: