Dosent or Doesnt – Which is Correct?

Sarah Thompson

When writing or speaking in English, even native speakers can get confused about the correct spelling of words, especially when they sound alike. Have you ever found yourself trying to decide between "dosent" and "doesnt"? If so, you’re not alone, and this article is just what you need.

The correct form is doesn’t, which is a contraction of “does not.” The form “dosent” is incorrect and not recognized in English grammar. For example, you should say, “He doesn’t like pizza,” not “He dosent like pizza.” Using doesn’t correctly shows proper understanding and application of English contractions.

Remember, contractions like doesn’t are often used in everyday conversation and informal writing. They make sentences shorter and help with the flow of words, making your English sound more natural and fluent.

Understanding the Right Spelling

Firstly, let’s settle which of the two is correct. Between "dosent" and "doesn’t," the correct form is "doesn’t". The word "doesn’t" is a contraction. In English, a contraction is a shorter way to say two words. Here, "doesn’t" stands for "does not."

Why Not “Dosent” or “Doesnt”?

You might wonder why "doesnt" doesn’t just drop the ‘o’ from "not" to become "doesnt," skipping the apostrophe. Well, it’s all about following the rules of contraction in English grammar. Dropping the ‘o’ indeed forms part of a contraction, but keeping the apostrophe shows where we’ve omitted a letter or letters – it’s like a little placeholder.

Think of it like when you’re watching a movie and a character is so fast, they leave a blur behind. That blur lets you know where they’ve been. In writing, apostrophes in contractions do a similar job.

When and How to Use “Doesn’t”

"Doesn’t" is used when talking about someone or something that does not perform an action, exist, or resemble a state of being, and it is always paired with a singular subject, except "I" or "you." Below are different examples to show how "doesn’t" is used in everyday language:

  • She doesn’t like pizza.
  • It doesn’t work the way it should.
  • He doesn’t go to school on Sundays.
  • My phone doesn’t have internet access.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Often, people mistakenly write “dosent” or “doesnt” because they are spelling phonetically, which means they write exactly what they hear. However, correct spelling in English can be tricky because it’s not always a straightforward "write what you hear" situation.

Imagine if we drew every cat the same way in paintings or pictures, just because they all have whiskers and four legs. We would lose so much of their unique patterns and colors, right? Language can be similar—we have to pay attention to the small details.

Practical Tips to Remember the Correct Form

Here are a few quick tricks to remember that "doesn’t" is the correct spelling:

  1. Remember the Apostrophe: Since "doesn’t" is a contraction (does not), always check if your sentence could be expanded to "does not."
  2. Double-check with "does not": If you can replace "doesn’t" with "does not" without changing the meaning of your sentence, then you’re using it right.
  3. Practice Makes Perfect: The more you read and write, the more familiar you’ll become with common contractions and their spelling.

In Conclusion

English can sometimes feel like a code to crack, with all its rules and exceptions. But, like playing a video game, once you know the basic controls, things start to flow more smoothly. Always remember, when stuck between “dosent” and “doesn’t,” the latter rolls the right way.

By understanding, practicing, and using English daily, you’ll see that it isn’t a maze of confusion but a straightforward path to clear communication. So, keep practicing, and soon, choosing “doesn’t” over “dosent” will become second nature to you!

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