Short Forms
Short answers
We often use short forms to answer questions.Usually we repeat the first word of the verb phrase
Q. Can you come round tomorrow?
A. Yes, I can.
A. No, I can't.
Q. Have you seen Jack lately?
A. Yes, I have.
A. No, I haven't.
Q. Do you like living here
A. Yes, I do.
A. No, I don't.
Q. Will you come to the party?
A. Yes, we might.
Q. Do you think they might come?
A. Yes, I think they will.
When the answer is positive, we add so
Q. Can you come tomorrow?
A. I hope so.
Q. Will they be at home
A. I expect so.
Q. Is Amsterdam the capital of the Netherlands?
A. I don't think so.
Q. Do you think it's going to rain?
A. I hope not.
Q. Do you think it's going to rain?
A. Yes, possibly.
Q. Can you come round tomorrow?
A. Definitely!
Q. Do you think it's going to rain?
A. Probably not.
Q. Can you come round tomorrow?
A. Maybe not.
Usually we repeat the first word of the verb phrase
➧ It's a lovely day.
➧ Yes, it is.
➧ I think they might have missed their train.
➧ Yes, I think they might.
➧ The children will be coming to see us next week.
➧ No, they won't. They're going to their grandparents.
➧ The children will be coming to see us next week.
➧ Yes, they might.
➧ The children might be coming to see us next week.
➧ No, they won't. They're going to their grandparents.
➧ Your grandmother looks very well.
➧ Yes, she does.
➧ I think Jack lives here.
➧ No, he doesn't.
➧ Everybody really enjoyed the trip.
➧ Yes, they did.
➧ The children went to Malaysia last year.
➧ No, they didn't. They went to Singapore.
We use a Yes/No question form for the tag.
If the comment is positive, we normally use a negative tag
➧ It's a lovely day.
➧ Yes, it is, isn't it?
➧ Your grandmother looks very well.
➧ Yes, she does, doesn't she?
➧ Everybody really enjoyed the trip.
➧ Yes, they did, didn't they?
➧ They didn't seem to enjoy the trip very much.
➧ No, they didn't, did they?
➧ It's not a very nice day.
➧ No, it isn't, is it?
➧ They haven't done much.
➧ No, they haven't, have they?
➧ It's a lovely day, isn't it?
➧ Your grandmother looks very well, doesn't she?
➧ They haven't done much, have they?
➧ They all seemed to enjoy the trip, didn't they?
We use so to add to a positive statement
➧ John is working in Barcelona.
➧ So is Maria.
➧ Maria is working in Barcelona too.
➧ I love Indian food.
➧ Yes, so do I.
➧ I love Indian food too.
➧ They've just bought a new computer.
➧ Really? So have we.
➧ We’ve also bought a new computer.
➧ I don't smoke any more.
➧ Neither do I.
➧ I also don't smoke.
➧ They haven't written to us for ages.
➧ Nor has Peter.
➧ Peter hasn't written to us for ages too.
➧ We won't be taking a holiday this year.
➧ Neither will we.
➧ We also won't be taking a holiday this year.
➧ I never have time for breakfast.
➧ Nor have I.
➧ I am as busy as you.
➧ I'll see you on Monday.
➧ What time?
➧ We are going on holiday next week.
➧ Where?
➧ You can get a new computer very cheaply.
➧ How?
➧ I'm going to London on Monday.
➧ What time are you going?
➧ We are going on holiday next week.
➧ Where are you going?
➧ You can get a new computer very cheaply.
➧ How can I do that?
➧ I love the Beatles. What about you?
➧ I'm exhausted. How about you?
➧ I really enjoyed the film. How about you?
➧ Your father seems well. What about your uncle?
In this kind of question, we repeat the first word of the verb phrase
➧ They've just had a baby.
➧ Have they?
➧ He'll be here soon.
➧ Will he?
➧ Sophie wants to move to another school.
➧ Does she?
➧ George phoned last week.
➧ Did he?
More Lessons ➧ Here
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