Sentence structure: Short answers
You can answer a yes/no question with just “Yes.”, but a short answer sounds more complete and polite. The rule is simple: use the same helping verb as the question.
Bring the pieces togetherIn this chapter
Short answer pattern
Yes: Yes, I am. · No: No, she doesn't.
Question → answer
Example: Are you hungry?
Example: Yes, I am.
Compare with Turkish
Turkish repeats the main verb (severim); English repeats the helping verb (do).
Example: Do you like pizza? — Yes, I do.
Example: Can you swim? — No, I can't.
Watch out
Do not use a short form in a positive short answer: Yes, I am. is right, “Yes, I'm.” is wrong. Negative short answers can be short: No, I'm not. / No, he isn't. Use a pronoun instead of the noun: your mom → she.
Tip
Look at the question, catch the helping verb and carry it into the answer: Can you…? → Yes, I can. Did he…? → No, he didn't.
Position 2 of 11 chapters at A1.