Are you a student? Yes, I am.
- Language
- English
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Questions and Short Answers
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Short answers are quick replies to yes/no questions in English. They use an auxiliary verb and a pronoun, instead of repeating the whole sentence.
When to use it
Use short answers when someone asks you a yes/no question and you want to answer politely and clearly, without repeating the whole sentence.
Key forms
- Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
- Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
- Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
- Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
- Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.
- Yes, we can. / No, we can’t.
Examples
Is he at home? No, he isn’t.
Do you like pizza? Yes, I do.
Can she swim? No, she can’t.
Tips
- Always use the correct auxiliary verb in your answer (am, is, are, do, does, can, etc.).
- Don’t just say 'Yes' or 'No'—use the full short answer for politeness.
- Use contractions in negative answers (isn’t, don’t, can’t).