Comments on: What Does vs. What Do http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/ The #1 Grammar & Punctuation Resource on the Internet! Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:14:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-10016 Jane Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:40:55 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10016 If the plural word<em> papers </em>is used, then the plural verb<em> do </em>is correct. If the plural word papers is used, then the plural verb do is correct.

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-10201 Jane Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:43:40 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10201 Since <em>Travelers</em> is the name of an insurance company, it is a singular proper noun, not the plural of the word <em>traveler</em>. Therefore, use the singular verb <em>does</em>. Does Travelers have good life insurance? Or, more properly, "Does Travelers offer a good life insurance policy?" Since Travelers is the name of an insurance company, it is a singular proper noun, not the plural of the word traveler. Therefore, use the singular verb does.
Does Travelers have good life insurance? Or, more properly, “Does Travelers offer a good life insurance policy?”

]]> By: Trilia http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-10124 Trilia Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:46:49 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10124 Question: Do Travelers have good life insurance policy? or Does Travelers have good life insurance? Question: Do Travelers have good life insurance policy? or Does Travelers have good life insurance?

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-10033 Jane Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:59:58 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10033 Our "Subject and Verb Agreement" section of <em>GrammarBook.com's </em>grammar rules addresses this issue. Rule 1 says, "Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb." Therefore, "Does Bob or Betty care?" Rule 4 says, "When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb." Therefore, "Do Bob or the managers care?" Our “Subject and Verb Agreement” section of GrammarBook.com’s grammar rules addresses this issue. Rule 1 says, “Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.” Therefore, “Does Bob or Betty care?”
Rule 4 says, “When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.” Therefore, “Do Bob or the managers care?”

]]> By: Dan http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-9424 Dan Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:07:19 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-9424 When a subject list is connected by 'or', is it a singular or plural subject? I'm sure 'and' makes it plural, just not positive about 'or'. Both 'do' and does' sound right to me in this situation. Also, if ONE of the items in the list is plural does that make the whole subject plural? This is moot if all lists are plural, just wanted to ask in case they weren't. Correct/incorrect?: Do Bob or Betty care? Correct/incorrect?: Do Bob or the managers care? So glad you're out here answering these questions! When a subject list is connected by ‘or’, is it a singular or plural subject? I’m sure ‘and’ makes it plural, just not positive about ‘or’. Both ‘do’ and does’ sound right to me in this situation.

Also, if ONE of the items in the list is plural does that make the whole subject plural? This is moot if all lists are plural, just wanted to ask in case they weren’t.

Correct/incorrect?: Do Bob or Betty care?

Correct/incorrect?: Do Bob or the managers care?

So glad you’re out here answering these questions!

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-10046 Jane Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:24:19 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10046 Many songs have bad grammar. The line "Everything she do just turns me on" is an error in subject-verb agreement. In this case, the complete subject is<em> Everything she do</em>. The simple subject is<em> everything</em>, and the verb <em>turns</em> agrees with it, which is fine. The verb <em>do</em>, however, does not agree with<em> she</em>. Therefore, the sentence should be written "Everything she does just turns me on." Many songs have bad grammar. The line “Everything she do just turns me on” is an error in subject-verb agreement. In this case, the complete subject is Everything she do. The simple subject is everything, and the verb turns agrees with it, which is fine. The verb do, however, does not agree with she. Therefore, the sentence should be written “Everything she does just turns me on.”

]]> By: Phil http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-9235 Phil Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:14:42 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-9235 Then how can you explain this to me: Every little thing she does is magic Everything she do just turns me on Even though my life before was tragic Now I know my love for her goes on (By the way lyrics of 'Everything she does is magic' from The Police) Everything is the subject? I'm confused. Then how can you explain this to me:

Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she do just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on

(By the way lyrics of ‘Everything she does is magic’ from The Police)

Everything is the subject? I’m confused.

]]> By: Stacy http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-8726 Stacy Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:27:33 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-8726 These days, I see alot of "go green" campaigns in malls. And behind each toilet doors, it says "When the trees disappear, so DO your toilet papers." It keeps me wondering is it do/does your toilet papers? These days, I see alot of “go green” campaigns in malls. And behind each toilet doors, it says “When the trees disappear, so DO your toilet papers.” It keeps me wondering is it do/does your toilet papers?

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-8368 Jane Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:14:42 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-8368 Since there are two subjects in your sentence connected by<em> and </em>(<em>hot rock and clouds of smoke</em>), use the plural form <em>do</em>. How often do hot rock and clouds of smoke pour from volcanoes? Since there are two subjects in your sentence connected by and (hot rock and clouds of smoke), use the plural form do.

How often do hot rock and clouds of smoke pour from volcanoes?

]]> By: joe http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/verbs/what-does-or-what-do/#comment-8155 joe Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:57:12 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=32#comment-8155 How often (does/do?) hot rock and clouds of smoke pour from volcanoes? How often (does/do?) hot rock and clouds of smoke pour from volcanoes?

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