English grammar: Short answers

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

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).