GLOW: Grammar Lessons On the Web
For the exclusive use of employees of the U.S. Department of State--by Tillyer Associates

 

To Be  in Yes/No Questions
In a question that can be answered with yes or no, put the verb at the beginning of the sentence. Add a question mark.
 

 

 

statement

I am a student

You are a student

He is a student

question

Am I a student?

Are you a student?

Is he a student?

Notice where the verb moves to:

Statement: You are hungry.
        Subject/verb
Question: Are you hungry?
        Verb/subject
 

You can answer these questions with short answers. 

 

Are you hungry?

Yes, I am

Is he a doctor?

Yes, he is.

Are they too hot?

Yes, they are.

 

Negative short answers sometimes have two forms.
 

 

Are you tired?

No, I'm not.

Am I fat?

No, you aren't. No you're not.

Is he a teacher?

No, he isn't. No, he's not.

Are we home yet? 

No, we aren't. No, we're not.

Are they elephants?

No, they aren't. No, they're not.

Note: There is only one short answer for in the first person--No, I'm not.
 
 

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