Does vs Does

• Does (third-person singular of "do") – Verb

• Does (plural of "doe," a female deer) – Noun

Pronunciation

These words are heteronyms, meaning they are spelled the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings.

• Does (verb): Pronounced duhz.

• Does (noun): Pronounced dohz.

Listen to the audio. Notice how the pronunciation changes based on the meaning.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Instruction

Read each sentence aloud and practice identifying the meaning of "does" in context.
Can you tell which “does” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. She does her homework every evening.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

2. The does grazed peacefully in the meadow.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

3. He does not understand the question.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

4. Several does were spotted near the riverbank.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

5. Does she know how to solve this problem?
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

6. The hunter saw two does in the distance.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

7. It does seem like a difficult task to complete.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

8. The wildlife photographer captured a picture of three does.
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

9. Does your sister play the guitar?
   a. Third-person singular of "do"
   b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

10. The forest is home to many does and their fawns.
    a. Third-person singular of "do"
    b. Plural of "doe," a female deer

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Does (third-person singular of "do")

1. She does her best to stay on top of her tasks. (Stress does to emphasize the effort.)

2. He does not like to be interrupted while working. (Highlight does to show negation.)

3. What does she need to complete the project? (Emphasize does to indicate the inquiry.)

Does (plural of "doe," a female deer)

1. The does grazed quietly in the meadow. (Stress does to focus on the animals.)

2. Several does were seen near the water’s edge. (Highlight does to emphasize their presence.)

3. The photographer captured a group of does during the sunrise. (Emphasize does to show the subject.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking.

Does (third-person singular of "do"):

1. Does her best: Focuses on maximum effort.

   • Tip: Highlight best to emphasize the quality of effort.

   • Sentence: She always does her best in challenging situations.

2. Does not: Indicates negation or denial.

   • Tip: Stress not to show disagreement or contrast.

   • Sentence: He does not like rainy weather.

3. What does: Introduces a question.

   • Tip: Emphasize what to draw attention to the inquiry.

   • Sentence: What does she need to prepare for the trip?

Does (plural of "doe," a female deer):

1. Group of does: Refers to a gathering of deer.

   • Tip: Highlight group to focus on the number.

   • Sentence: The hunter observed a group of does in the clearing.

2. Does and fawns: Refers to female deer and their offspring.

   • Tip: Stress fawns to include the young.

   • Sentence: The forest is home to many does and fawns.

3. Several does: Emphasizes the number of female deer.

   • Tip: Highlight several to indicate quantity.

   • Sentence: Several does were grazing near the meadow.

Things to Remember:

The word "does" is used in different contexts:

• Does (third-person singular of "do"): Often paired with phrases like "does her best," "does not," or "what does."

  • Example: She does her homework every evening without fail.

• Does (plural of "doe," a female deer): Commonly used with "group of does," "does and fawns," or "several does."

  • Example: A group of does and fawns was spotted near the forest edge.