Short answers: How and When to Use in English

-Can you set the table? -Yes, I can. Since the question starts with can, we repeat the same word in a positive short answer. Example: -Can you hear me? -Yes, we can.

In short answers, use the correct form of the first word of the question (here, can), not the main verb (here, set). Example: -Can I borrow your pen? -Yes, you can.

You could say -Do you have a pen? -Yes, I do because the question starts with do and we repeat it in the short answer, but here the question starts with can.

-Does he know your name? -No, he doesn't. For negative short answers, use the structure: no, + subject pronoun Subject personal pronouns (here, he) + negative short form of the first word of the question (here, does → doesn't). Example: -Do you like reading? -No, I don't.

You could say -Does he know your name? -Yes, he does in a positive short answer, but here the answer is negative.

You could say -Does he know your name? -Yes, I think he knows my name if you are giving a longer answer, but in a short answer we need to repeat the first word of the question and not the main verb.

-Are they at home? -Yes, they are. The structure of short answers is: Yes/No, + subject pronoun Subject personal pronouns (here, they) + the appropriate form of the first word of the question. Example: -Have they got a solution? -No, they haven't.

In short answers, use personal pronouns (I, you, we, they, etc.) and not a first name like Timmy.

You could use do after a subject in a short answer like -Do you enjoy this course? -Yes, I do, but in this case the missing word is the subject pronoun before are.

-Have you got a car?- Yes, we have. The structure of a positive short answer is: Yes + subject pronoun Subject personal pronouns (here, we) + the first word of the question in the appropriate full form (here, have). Example: -Did you enjoy the concert? -Yes, I did.

-Should I call Anna?- No, you shouldn't. In a negative short answer, use the first word of the question (here, should) in its negative short form (shouldn't). Example: -Can you come earlier? -No, I can't.

-Can you speak English?- Yes, I can. In a positive short answer, after Yes add the subject pronoun (here, I) followed by the appropriate form of the word with which the question starts (here, can). Example: -Can you repeat that, please? -Yes, I can.

-Do you know Betty? -Yes, I do. We use Yes because it is followed by the affirmative form (I do). Example: -Did you hear the news? -Yes, we did.

-Can you finish the meal? -No, we can't. Since this is a negative short answer, use the structure: no, + subject pronoun Subject personal pronouns (here, we) + negative short form of the first word of the question (here can → can't). Example: -Can you call me later? -No, I can't.

-Is she in Cardiff? -Yes, she is. In short answers, use the subject pronoun (here, she) Subject personal pronouns right after Yes/No. Example: -Did she arrive on time? -Yes, she did.