Don’t and Doesn’t in English

Learning English is like learning its basics. The use of don’t and doesn’t are part of the basic.

The word does and the contraction doesn’t are used with singular nouns and with the pronouns he, she and it. The word do and the contraction don’t are used with plural nouns and with the pronouns I, we, you and they.

Examples: 

Doesn’t

The law doesn’t decide on the case. (The law refers to it. It is a singular noun.)

He doesn’t want to go with his friends.

It doesn’t work.

She doesn’t need to do it.

Don’t

The laws don’t want him to win the case.

They don’t like him.

You don’t understand my point.

We don’t need to hurt each other.

Sample Exercise

Choose the right word from the two given in parentheses.

1. (Where is, Where are) the stack of papers I put on the desk?

2. (Don’t, Doesn’t) the wind sound wild tonight?

3. (Here’s, Here are) the books you lent to Robin.

4. (What’s, What are) the names of the mountain ranges in Hanolulu, Hawaii?

5. It seems that there (was, were) two men named David.

6. Hard work and ambition (is, are) not the answer.

7. Money and power (was, were) Wilson’s goal.

8. The leader of the expedition (don’t, doesn’t) dare to take chances.

9. Sunny days and a beautiful beach (is, are) the town’s claim to fame.

10. Protein and fats (is, are) the great dietary need in India.