Notes on the form of Yes/No questions and answers

1 The first verb in the question (i e the auxiliary or modal) is usually
repeated in the answer

Was James late'? - Yes he was No he wasn't Can James play chess? Yes he can No he can't But note Are you? - Yes I am /No I'm not and Were you ^? Yes I was No I wasn't where the verb is repeated, but in a different form [compare > 11.35.2]

Variations with modals are common when we are not sure of our answers [> 11.31] Auxiliary verbs are often stressed in answers Is that Vicki?/Might that be Vicki?

Yes it is Yes it might be It could be It must be - No it isn't No it might not be It couldn't be It can't be

2 Full negative short answers (eg No I do not) only occur in emphatic or formal speech In ordinary conversation, contracted forms (e g No / don’t) are normal

3 Of course, many other answers are possible in response to Yes/No questions, and sometimes Yes and No can be omitted Did you watch the news on TV last nighf?

Yes but not all of it No I never watch TV I watched some of it I watched a cartoon instead Of course I can t remember I think so Not really Other examples of expressions used in place of Yes No are certainly naturally I think so I expect so perhaps maybe I don t think so of course not not at all

Alternative negative forms

When we use Yes/No questions and answers

It is very unusual to answer a Yes/No question in full Did James go to the theatre last night?

- Yes he went to the theatre last night

- No he didn't go to the theatre last night It is also unusual to answer very briefly with Yes or No, as this can easily be interpreted as unfriendly or rude

Do you like dancing? - Yes /No Short answers save us from repeating the question and give scope for expression, compared with plain Yes or No We use Yes/No questions and answers

- for requesting and supplying information Did you lock the back door?- Yes I did /No I didn't

- for expressing agreement or disagreement with statements

Statement agreement disagreement

It s raining - Yes it is - No it isn't

It isn't raining - No it isn t - Yes it is

- for expressing confirmation in response to statements It was a very good performance - Yes it was It wasn't a very good performance - No it wasn't

- in response to the imperative Drive carefully¹ - (Yes) I will

Don t take any risks - (No) I won't [compare > 10.5.1] We answer with will/won t because the imperative points to the future