Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
'People' is always plural in English, so it must use 'don't' instead of 'doesn't'.
- Use 'don't' for plural subjects like 'people' (e.g., People don't like waiting).
- Use 'doesn't' for singular subjects like 'person' (e.g., That person doesn't like waiting).
- Never say 'people doesn't'—it is the most common mistake for English learners.
Overview
don't와 doesn't의 구분입니다. 이 두 표현은 현재 시제에서 부정문을 만들 때 필수적인 요소로, 주어와 동사의 '수 일치(Subject-Verb Agreement)'라는 영어의 핵심 원리를 담고 있습니다.don't와 doesn't를 정확하게 사용하는 것은 화자의 영어 수준을 판가름하는 중요한 척도가 됩니다. 한국어는 주어가 '나'든, '그'든, '우리'든 상관없이 '안 해', '하지 않아'처럼 동사의 형태가 일정하게 유지되지만, 영어는 주어의 인칭과 수에 따라 보조 동사(Auxiliary Verb)의 형태가 민감하게 변하기 때문입니다.-s나 -es를 붙이는 규칙이 있습니다. 부정문을 만들 때도 이 규칙이 그대로 적용되는데, 다만 그 짐을 본동사가 아닌 도와주는 동사인 do가 대신 짊어지게 됩니다.- 나 안 가.
- 너 안 가?
- 그 사람 안 가.
- 우리 안 가.
do를 쓸지, does를 쓸지 결정해야 합니다.he, she, it 그리고 '제3의 단일 대상(철수, 우리 엄마, 그 회사, 이 핸드폰 등)'은 문법적으로 매우 특별한 대접을 받습니다. 긍정문에서 He likes coffee라고 -s를 붙였던 것처럼, 부정문에서도 do에 -es를 붙여 does를 만들고, 여기에 not을 붙여 doesn't가 되는 것입니다.She works here에서 동사 work에 붙어 있던 -s가 부정문이 되면서 조동사 does에게로 '이사'를 간다고 생각하세요.- 긍정문:
She works...(S가 work에 있음) - 부정문:
She doesn't work...(S가 doesn't에 있으므로 work는 원래 형태인 '원형'으로 돌아옴)
don't와 doesn't를 사용하는 문장 구조는 매우 체계적입니다. 아래의 표를 통해 주어에 따라 어떻게 짝꿍이 정해지는지 한눈에 살펴보겠습니다.I | don't | 원형 (base) | I don't drink decaf. (난 디카페인 안 마셔.) |You | don't | 원형 (base) | You don't need a receipt. (영수증 필요 없으시죠?) |We | don't | 원형 (base) | We don't have a meeting today. (오늘 회의 없어요.) |They, 복수 명사 | don't | 원형 (base) | The apps don't work well. (앱들이 실행이 잘 안 돼.) |He, She, It, 단수 명사 | doesn't | 원형 (base) | He doesn't like hoesik. (그는 회식을 좋아하지 않아.) |- I / You / We / They +
don't+ 동사원형 - He / She / It / Singular Noun +
doesn't+ 동사원형
My boss(내 상사), The delivery(배달물), This laptop(이 노트북), The weather(날씨) 등 세상의 모든 '나와 너를 제외한 하나'는 모두 doesn't와 짝을 이룹니다. 반면 My parents(부모님 - 두 분), The students(학생들)처럼 여러 명일 때는 다시 don't를 사용합니다.don't와 doesn't는 단순히 '지금 이 순간'만을 말하는 것이 아니라, 평소의 습관, 변하지 않는 사실, 일반적인 상태를 부정할 때 사용합니다. 한국인의 일상 속 시나리오를 통해 언제 이 표현들을 써야 하는지 알아봅시다.I don't eat breakfast these days.(요즘 아침 안 먹어요.)My sister doesn't go to the gym on weekends.(내 여동생은 주말에 헬스장 안 가요.)We don't usually order delivery on Mondays.(우리는 보통 월요일엔 배달 안 시켜 먹어요.)
The sun doesn't rise in the west.(해는 서쪽에서 뜨지 않는다.)This credit card doesn't offer any discounts.(이 신용카드는 할인이 전혀 안 돼요.)Vegetarians don't eat meat.(채식주의자들은 고기를 먹지 않아요.)
I don't have KakaoTalk on my work phone.(업무용 폰에는 카톡이 없어요.)The store doesn't have any stock left.(그 가게에 재고가 하나도 없대요.)He doesn't know the password.(그는 비밀번호를 몰라요.)
I don't think so.(그렇게 생각하지 않아요. / 제 생각은 달라요.)She doesn't agree with the new policy.(그녀는 새로운 정책에 동의하지 않아요.)
don't 쓰기 (The "Don't" Overuse)- 틀린 문장:
My friend don't like spicy food.(X) - 맞는 문장:
My friend doesn't like spicy food.(O) - 이유: 한국어로는 '내 친구 안 좋아해'라고 하면 끝이지만, 영어에서는
My friend가He또는She에 해당하므로 반드시doesn't를 써야 합니다. 특히 말이 빨라질 때 가장 많이 하는 실수입니다.
doesn't 뒤에 동사에 또 -s 붙이기 (The Double S Trap)- 틀린 문장:
She doesn't likes coffee.(X) - 맞는 문장:
She doesn't like coffee.(O) - 이유: 앞서 설명했듯이,
-s의 역할은 이미does가 가져갔습니다. 뒤에 오는 동사는 반드시 '원형'이어야 합니다.does와-s가 한 문장에 나란히 있으면 문법적으로 과잉(Redundant)이 됩니다.
- 틀린 문장:
I don't hungry.(X) /He doesn't a student.(X) - 맞는 문장:
I'm not hungry.(O) /He isn't a student.(O) - 이유:
don't와doesn't는 반드시 '일반 동사(움직임이나 상태를 나타내는 단어)'와 함께 쓰여야 합니다. 형용사(hungry,happy)나 명사(student,doctor)를 부정할 때는am not,isn't,aren't를 써야 합니다. 한국어에서는 '배고프다'가 형용사면서도 동사처럼 쓰이기 때문에 발생하는 전형적인 오류입니다.
don't/doesn't와 비슷해 보이지만 쓰임이 다른 패턴들을 비교해 보겠습니다. 이 차이를 아는 것이 B1 레벨에서 B2로 넘어가는 핵심입니다.don't / doesn't | didn't | isn't / aren't |He doesn't eat meat. (그는 평소에 고기를 안 먹어.) | He didn't eat meat. (그는 아까 고기를 안 먹었어.) | He isn't a vegetarian. (그는 채식주의자가 아니야.) |didn't는 주어가 누구든(I, You, He, She, They) 형태가 변하지 않습니다. 오히려 과거 시제가 더 쉽죠? 오직 현재 시제에서만don't와doesn't를 구분하면 됩니다.isn't는 주어의 '정체'나 '기분/상태'를 말할 때 쓰고,doesn't는 주어의 '행동'을 말할 때 씁니다.He isn't work.(X) ->He isn't working.(그는 지금 일하는 중이 아니야.)He doesn't work.(O) -> (그는 평소에 일을 안 해 / 직업이 없어.)
Everyone이나 Everybody는 사람들이 많으니까 don't를 써야 하나요?Every-로 시작하는 단어(Everyone, Everybody, Everything)는 '모든 사람'이라는 뜻이지만 문법적으로는 단수 취급을 합니다. 따라서 Everyone doesn't...가 아니라 Everyone knows... (긍정), Everyone doesn't... (부정 - 단, '모두가 그런 것은 아니다'라는 부분 부정의 맥락에서 쓰임) 보다는 보통 Nobody knows처럼 쓰기도 하지만, 기본적으로 Every-는 doesn't와 짝꿍인 단수 취급을 한다는 점을 기억하세요.do not이나 does not이라고 풀어서 써도 되나요?don't/doesn't를 훨씬 많이 쓰지만, 공식적인 이메일이나 보고서, 혹은 자신의 의사를 아주 강하게 강조하고 싶을 때는 풀어서 씁니다. 예를 들어, 부모님이 «너 숙제 안 했지?»라고 하실 때 I did not do it!(진짜 안 했다고요!)이라고 강조하는 것과 비슷합니다.
He don't라고 하는 팝송 가사를 들었는데, 그건 틀린 건가요?He don't를 쓰기도 합니다. 하지만 우리는 비즈니스 상황이나 학교, 일상 대화에서 '교양 있는 영어'를 구사해야 하므로, 반드시 He doesn't를 사용하는 습관을 들여야 합니다.My family일 때는 don't인가요, doesn't인가요?Family는 하나의 집합체로 볼 때는 단수 취급하여 My family doesn't...라고 하는 것이 일반적입니다. 하지만 가족 구성원 개개인을 강조할 때는 복수 취급을 하기도 합니다. 보통은 doesn't를 쓰면 무난합니다.don't와 doesn't의 구분은 머리로 아는 것보다 입으로 익히는 것이 중요합니다. 오늘 하루 여러분 주변의 인물들을 떠올리며 문장을 만들어 보세요. "My boss doesn't like long meetings.«, »My friend doesn't drink alcohol." 이렇게 주변의 '3인칭 단수' 주어를 찾아 doesn't와 연결하는 연습을 10번만 해보셔도 금방 익숙해질 거예요. 쉽죠? 할 수 있습니다!2. Negative Present Simple Agreement
| Subject Type | Subject Example | Auxiliary | Verb Form |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Plural Noun
|
People
|
don't
|
base form (work)
|
|
Plural Pronoun
|
They
|
don't
|
base form (work)
|
|
Singular Noun
|
The person
|
doesn't
|
base form (work)
|
|
Singular Pronoun
|
He / She / It
|
doesn't
|
base form (work)
|
|
Collective Pronoun
|
Everyone
|
doesn't
|
base form (work)
|
Contractions vs. Full Forms
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
People do not
|
People don't
|
Standard / Informal
|
|
The person does not
|
The person doesn't
|
Standard / Informal
|
|
Individuals do not
|
N/A
|
Very Formal / Academic
|
Meanings
The use of the negative auxiliary verb 'do not' (don't) to negate a statement where 'people' is the subject.
General Plurality
Referring to humans in general or a large group.
“People don't usually carry cash these days.”
Specific Groups
Referring to a specific set of individuals previously mentioned.
“Those people don't work here anymore.”
Contrastive Singular
Distinguishing between one individual and a group.
“One person doesn't make a crowd, and people don't always agree.”
Reference Table
| 주어 | 올바른 형태 | 예시 문장 |
|---|---|---|
|
I / You
|
don't
|
You `don't` need a password.
|
|
He / She / It
|
doesn't
|
She `doesn't` live here anymore.
|
|
We / They
|
don't
|
They `don't` open until 10 AM.
|
|
Singular Noun (e.g., a friend)
|
doesn't
|
My friend `doesn't` speak Spanish.
|
|
Plural Noun (e.g., friends)
|
don't
|
My friends `don't` know him.
|
|
Collective Noun (e.g., the team)
|
doesn't
|
The team `doesn't` practice on Fridays.
|
|
People
|
don't
|
Most people `don't` realize that.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The general public does not support this policy. (Politics/Opinion)
People don't like this policy. (Politics/Opinion)
Folks don't really dig this policy. (Politics/Opinion)
Peeps don't mess with this policy. (Politics/Opinion)
Don't vs. Doesn't: 누가 누구와 짝꿍일까?
DON'T 사용
- I 'I' 주어에 사용
- You 'You' 주어에 사용
- We 'We' 주어에 사용
- They 'They' 주어에 사용
- Plural Nouns 복수 명사에 사용
DOESN'T 사용
- He 'He' 주어에 사용
- She 'She' 주어에 사용
- It 'It' 주어에 사용
- Singular Nouns 단수 명사에 사용
Don't와 Doesn't 비교하기
어떤 것을 사용해야 할까?
주어가 'He', 'She', 'It' 또는 단수 명사(the cat, my friend)인가요?
누가 무엇을 말할까?
DON'T 팀
- • I
- • You
- • We
- • They
- • My parents
- • The players
DOESN'T 팀
- • He
- • She
- • It
- • My father
- • The player
- • The weather
수준별 예문
People don't like bad food.
People don't like bad food.
They don't know me.
They don't know me.
People don't go there.
People don't go there.
My friends don't dance.
My friends don't dance.
Most people don't work on Sundays.
Most people don't work on Sundays.
Why don't people use this door?
Why don't people use this door?
Those people don't live here.
Those people don't live here.
People don't usually eat late here.
People don't usually eat late here.
People don't always say what they mean.
People don't always say what they mean.
If people don't vote, nothing changes.
If people don't vote, nothing changes.
Young people don't watch TV as much now.
Young people don't watch TV as much now.
People don't realize the cost of living.
People don't realize the cost of living.
People don't necessarily want more options.
People don't necessarily want more options.
Many people don't feel comfortable speaking in public.
Many people don't feel comfortable speaking in public.
People don't often consider the long-term effects.
People don't often consider the long-term effects.
The local people don't appreciate the new noise.
The local people don't appreciate the new noise.
People don't typically subscribe to such radical views.
People don't typically subscribe to such radical views.
Indigenous peoples don't always have their rights respected.
Indigenous peoples don't always have their rights respected.
People don't just stumble into success by accident.
People don't just stumble into success by accident.
Rational people don't behave in such a volatile manner.
Rational people don't behave in such a volatile manner.
People don't, as a rule, take kindly to being patronized.
People don't, as a rule, take kindly to being patronized.
Disenfranchised people don't merely want charity; they want agency.
Disenfranchised people don't merely want charity; they want agency.
People don't half complain when the Wi-Fi goes down!
People don't half complain when the Wi-Fi goes down!
History shows that people don't always learn from past mistakes.
History shows that people don't always learn from past mistakes.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners think 'everyone' is plural because it means 'all people'.
Learners think 'police' is a singular organization.
These can be singular or plural depending on the dialect.
자주 하는 실수
People doesn't like.
People don't like.
The people is not here.
The people are not here.
People don't likes.
People don't like.
One people don't.
One person doesn't.
Does people know?
Do people know?
Every people don't.
Everyone doesn't.
People doesn't have.
People don't have.
Everyone don't like it.
Everyone doesn't like it.
The police doesn't.
The police don't.
Most of people doesn't.
Most people don't.
The peoples doesn't.
The peoples don't.
People doesn't half...
People don't half...
문장 패턴
People don't ___ as much as they used to.
Why don't people ___ when they are in ___?
It's a shame that people don't ___ anymore.
Most people don't have the ___ to ___.
Real World Usage
People don't realize how fake Instagram is.
I've noticed that some people don't adapt well to change.
Why don't people just call back??
Why people don't trust the economy.
People don't tip in this country.
Many people do not have access to clean water.
'S' 규칙 지름길
He does like it.
'S'를 두 번 쓰지 마세요
패턴에 귀 기울여 보세요
실제 대화에서 'He Don't'를 들을 때
Smart Tips
Stop and say 'They doesn't'. Does that sound wrong? Yes! So 'people doesn't' is also wrong.
Remember: 'People' are many dots; 'Everyone' is one big circle around the dots.
Always expand the contraction to 'do not' for a more professional tone.
Treat 'police' exactly like 'people'. They are always plural.
발음
Contraction Stress
In 'People don't', the stress is often on 'don't' to emphasize the negation.
Linking
The 'l' in people often links softly to the 'd' in don't.
Falling Intonation
People don't ↘ care.
A definitive statement of fact.
암기하기
기억법
People are plural, like a party. You don't go to a party alone; you 'don't' use singular verbs with people.
시각적 연상
Imagine a crowd of people holding a giant 'DO' sign. There are many of them, so they need the big 'DO' (don't), not the small 'DOES' (doesn't).
Rhyme
When it's 'people' in the street, 'don't' is the word you need to meet.
Story
Once there was a man named 'Person' who lived alone and 'doesn't' like noise. Then a group called 'People' moved in next door. They 'don't' care about the noise because they are a big group.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around you in a public place. Write 5 negative sentences about what the people there 'don't' do (e.g., 'People don't wear hats here').
문화 노트
In the UK, collective nouns like 'the team' or 'the government' often take plural verbs ('The team don't'), making 'people don't' feel even more natural.
Americans are very strict about 'people don't' but will use singular for other collectives ('The team doesn't').
In many dialects, 'people' is the universal plural, and 'don't' is the universal negative, sometimes even replacing 'doesn't' in non-standard speech.
The word 'people' comes from the Old French 'pueple' and Latin 'populus'.
대화 시작하기
What are some things people don't realize about your country?
Why do you think people don't exercise more?
What is a common habit that people don't do anymore?
In your opinion, why don't people trust the news?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
My phone ___ have enough battery to last the whole day.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
She don't want to go to the meeting.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesMost people ___ like to wake up early.
Find and fix the mistake:
That person don't want to go, but other people doesn't care.
Why ___ people use the recycling bin more often?
don't / usually / people / that / say
Select all that apply: 1. People, 2. Everyone, 3. The police, 4. She
A: Does everyone like the new boss? B: No, __.
People understand the risks.
1. My family, 2. My friends, 3. Everyone, 4. People
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI ___ remember his name.
This coffee ___ taste very good.
Choose the correct sentence:
My parents doesn't understand my job.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Translate into English: 'El coche no funciona.'
Match the subjects with the correct form:
Why ___ you agree with me?
It don't matter what they think.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Translate into English: 'La gente no lo sabe.'
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
In English, 'people' is the plural of 'person'. Think of it like 'children' (plural of child). It refers to the individuals in the group, not the group as a single unit.
No. In standard English, 'people doesn't' is always grammatically incorrect. You might hear it in some very specific dialects, but you should never use it in exams or professional life.
Words ending in -one, -body, and -thing are always singular. Think of 'everyone' as 'every single one'.
Yes, but in very formal writing, you should use the full form 'people do not' instead of the contraction 'don't'.
The singular is 'person'. So, 'One person doesn't' but 'Two people don't'.
Yes! 'The police' is always plural in English. You must say 'The police don't know', not 'The police doesn't know'.
Yes, but only when referring to different ethnic or national groups (e.g., 'The peoples of Africa don't all speak the same language'). This is rare.
Use 'Do'. For example: 'Do people like this?' or 'Why don't people like this?'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
La gente
Spanish is singular; English is plural.
Les gens / Tout le monde
French has both a plural and a singular collective.
Die Leute
Almost identical usage.
人々 (Hitobito)
Japanese has no subject-verb agreement.
الناس (An-nas)
Arabic has gendered plural agreement.
人们 (Rénmen)
No conjugation in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
Related Grammar Rules
방언 대 언어: 차이점은 무엇인가요?
### Overview 우리가 영어를 배울 때 흔히 마주치는 질문 중 하나가 바로 "이건 사투리인가요, 아니면 다른 언어인가요?"라는...
Nowadays vs. Now-a-days: 차이점은 무엇인가요?
### Overview 언어는 살아있는 생명체와 같아서 시간이 흐르면서 그 형태와 쓰임새가 끊임없이 변하곤 합니다. 오늘 우리가 함...
Let them vs. Let they: 차이점이 무엇인가요?
### Overview 영어 학습을 하다 보면 `let them`과 `let they` 중 어떤 것이 맞는지 헷갈릴 때가 있습니다. 결론부터 말씀드리...
Quite vs. Quiet: 차이점이 무엇인가요?
### Overview 영어 학습의 여정에서 우리 한국인 학습자들을 가장 당혹스럽게 만드는 것 중 하나는 바로 '비슷하게 생겼지만 완...
Said vs. Told: 차이점이 무엇인가요?
### Overview 영어를 배우는 한국인 학습자들에게 `say`와 `tell`은 마치 '숙명적인 라이벌'과 같습니다. 우리말로는 둘 다 단...
