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TermsEnglish (UK) · Questions, Answers & Tags
Short Answers
In English we often answer a yes/no question with a short answer instead of just Yes or No, which can sound abrupt. We repeat the auxiliary from the question (be, do, does, did, can, have, will) after a pronoun and leave out the main verb.
- Are you tired? – Yes, I am.
- Do you like tea? – No, I don't.
- Did they call? – No, they didn't.
- Can she swim? – Yes, she can.
Negative short answers are usually contracted: isn't, aren't, wasn't, don't, doesn't, didn't, can't, hasn't, won't. Positive short answers are never contracted: say Yes, I am, not Yes, I'm. Change the pronoun to fit the speaker: a question with you gets an answer with I or we.
Examples
- Are you hungry? – Yes, I am.
- Does he live here? – No, he doesn't.
- Did you enjoy the film? – Yes, we did.
- Can you help me? – Sorry, I can't.
- Will they be late? – No, they won't.
Try it yourself
Are you tired? – Yes, I .Show answer
Are you tired? – Yes, I am.
Is she your sister? – Yes, she .Show answer
Is she your sister? – Yes, she is.
Is it cold outside? – No, it .Show answer
Is it cold outside? – No, it isn't.
Are they at home? – Yes, they .Show answer
Are they at home? – Yes, they are.
Are you students? – No, we .Show answer
Are you students? – No, we aren't.
Is your brother married? – No, he .Show answer
Is your brother married? – No, he isn't.
Do you speak English? – Yes, I .Show answer
Do you speak English? – Yes, I do.
Do you like tea? – No, I .Show answer
Do you like tea? – No, I don't.
Does he work here? – Yes, he .Show answer
Does he work here? – Yes, he does.
Does she eat meat? – No, she .Show answer
Does she eat meat? – No, she doesn't.