The structure of the short answer is:
YES or NO (or words like sometimes, perhaps, etc.) + subject pronoun + auxiliary (or be or have).
In negative answers, not follows the auxiliary.
The auxiliary in the short answer depends on the verb or auxiliary used in the question:
Do you like our new house?
Yes, I do.
Can you help me with my English homework?
Sorry. No,
I can't.
Were you at the cinema last night?
Yes, I was.
We don't usually make a contraction with the subject and auxiliary in affirmative short answers, verb to be, etc.
Are you from Spain?
Yes, I am.
Not:
Yes, I'm.
Short answers are for spoken English. In many cases, if someone doesn't use a short answer with the accompanying auxiliary, they can sound rude or impolite. Compare:
Can you tell me where the railway station is, please?
No.
A little more polite would be:
Sorry. No.
But better:
Sorry. No, I can't. I'm a stranger here myself.
Try to avoid one word replies like yes or no.
Short answers can put more emphasis on the reply:
Do you like pizza?
Yes, I do! I love it! (With stress on do.)
In negative short answers, we can use the full form (not contracted) to place more emphasis:
Do you like octopus?
No, I do not! It's disgusting! (With
stress on not.)
or,
No, I don't! It's awful! (With
lots of stress on don't.)
(Note that US English often uses non-contracted short answers more than in British English.)
We can use the short answer structure when we contradict what somebody has just said:
I didn't copy you in the exam.
Oh, yes, you did! I saw you!
I
came home early last night.
No, you didn't! I heard you
come in!
Is there a chemist near here?
Yes, there is.
Will there
be any alcohol at the party?
No, there won't.
Have you
got a pen you can lend me?
No, I haven't. Sorry.
Notice that in verb structures where there is more than one auxiliary, we use the first one in the short answer:
Had it been done before you arrived?
Yes, it had.
It is also possible to include all the auxiliaries in the short answer with no change in meaning:
Yes, it had been.
Could it have been done in time?
No,
it couldn't.
Or,
No, it couldn't have been.
We can use other words instead of just yes or no depending on context:
Is it going to rain tomorrow?
Perhaps
it is.
Did she come and visit you during the holiday?
Sometimes
she did.
Is the situation going to get better?
I
think it will.
Should I offer to help them?
You never should.
Be careful about only using short answers when somebody offers you something:
Would you like some more cake?
Yes,
I would.
The above answer is possible with lots
of positive intonation and smiles but better:
Yes, I'd love some. Thank you.
Consider:
Can I help you with those heavy bags?
Yes,
you can.
The above answer sounds terrible! A much better reply to be more polite would be:
Yes, please. That's very kind of you.
- Short answers with verb "to be"...
- Exercises on short answers...
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