Using auxiliaries for yes or no responses: How and When to Use in English
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Using auxiliaries for yes or no responses
In English, the answers yes and no are frequently followed by the construction subject (pronoun) + auxiliary verb
Do you have your laptop with you? - Yes, I do / No, I don't.
These constructions make the answers sound more friendly and emphasize the affirmation or negation.
Didn't you want to talk to the manager? - Yes, I did.
When yes (or no) is understood, the reply takes on a categorical nature.
Can I borrow your car? - You can't.
Learn more about or
Exercise 1
Bob: Hi, Susie. I had a pretty crazy weekend. I lost three hundred dollars in a card game.
Susie: ? That very smart. I didn't know you gambled.
Bob: No, ! My wife says that I .
Susie: But you just told me that you lost your money playing cards.
Bob: Yeah. Someone stole my wallet while I was playing 'solitaire' on my phone.
Susie: ? That very smart. I didn't know you gambled.
Bob: No, ! My wife says that I .
Susie: But you just told me that you lost your money playing cards.
Bob: Yeah. Someone stole my wallet while I was playing 'solitaire' on my phone.
Bob: Hi, Susie. I had a pretty crazy weekend. I lost three hundred dollars in a card game.
Susie: You did 1? That wasn't 2 very smart. I didn't know you gambled.
Bob: No, I don't 3! My wife says that I can't 4.
Susie: But you just told me that you lost your money playing cards.
Bob: Yeah. Someone stole my wallet while I was playing 'solitaire' on my phone.
Susie: You did 1? That wasn't 2 very smart. I didn't know you gambled.
Bob: No, I don't 3! My wife says that I can't 4.
Susie: But you just told me that you lost your money playing cards.
Bob: Yeah. Someone stole my wallet while I was playing 'solitaire' on my phone.
1 You did: This is the best choice here. The auxiliary of surprise is always formed with the subject of the former statement and the auxiliary conjugated in the simple past tense (you did). Because no auxiliary is specified in the original statement, we know that we must use 'do'. Example: -I gave all my money to that homeless woman. -You did?
1 You lost: When responding to a statement with an expression of surprise, we use an auxiliary, and not a regular verb, such as 'lost'.
1 You have: 'You have' is incorrect because 'have' is not used as an auxiliary in the original statement (I lost three hundred dollars), and when an auxiliary is not specified, we usually use 'do'.
1 You are: 'You are' is incorrect because 'are' is not used as an auxiliary in the original statement (I lost three hundred dollars), and when an auxiliary is not specified, we usually use 'do'.
2 wasn't: This is the best choice here. The sentence requires a conjugated form of the verb 'to be', in the negative. To form the contraction of 'was not', we remove the letter 'o' from 'not' and replace it with an apostrophe. Example: Pressing that red button wasn't the smartest thing to do.
2 can't: 'That can't very smart' is grammatically incorrect.
2 weren't: Because Susie uses the singular pronoun 'that', we cannot use the plural contraction 'weren't' as an auxiliary. 'That weren't' is grammatically incorrect. Example: "Those weren't the same cats as before".
2 shouldn't: 'That shouldn't be very smart' is grammatically incorrect.
3 I don't: This is the best choice here. 'Yes or No' responses often follow the format of 'subject' + 'auxiliary' (I + do, in this case), and we always use whichever auxiliary has been used in the previous question. If an auxiliary has not been used, we typically use 'do'. Example: -I didn't know you had blonde hair. -I don't!
3 I go not: When responding to simple 'yes or no' questions, we use an auxiliary, rather than the main verb (go).
3 Don't I: 'Don't I' is the inverted form, and is usually used to ask a question, not to respond to one.
3 Go not I: 'Go not I' is grammatically incorrect.
4 can't: This is the best choice here. 'Can' is used to express capability or permission. Bob is saying that his wife does 'not allow him' to go to the casino. Example: My stepmother says I can't go to the ball tonight.
4 am not: 'I am not' does not make sense here.
4 go not: 'Go not' is grammatically incorrect. Negation is formed with an auxiliary when using verbs such as 'go'.
4 am not can: 'Am not can' is grammatically incorrect. We cannot use two auxiliaries ('am' and 'can') in a construction like this.
Exercise 2
Monica: Thank you for calling Dave's Hardware. This is Monica, may I help you?
Ronald: Why yes, . I have a bit of a problem.
Monica: ?
Ronald: ! I accidentally glued my hand to a power drill*, and I really have to go to the bathroom, but I'm afraid.
Monica: Well, that definitely is a problem.
* A drill is a machine used to puncture holes
Ronald: Why yes, . I have a bit of a problem.
Monica: ?
Ronald: ! I accidentally glued my hand to a power drill*, and I really have to go to the bathroom, but I'm afraid.
Monica: Well, that definitely is a problem.
* A drill is a machine used to puncture holes
Monica: Thank you for calling Dave's Hardware. This is Monica, may I help you?
Ronald: Why yes, you may 1. I have a bit of a problem.
Monica: You do 2?
Ronald: I do 3! I accidentally glued my hand to a power drill*, and I really have to go to the bathroom, but I'm afraid.
Monica: Well, that definitely is a problem.
* A drill is a machine used to puncture holes
Ronald: Why yes, you may 1. I have a bit of a problem.
Monica: You do 2?
Ronald: I do 3! I accidentally glued my hand to a power drill*, and I really have to go to the bathroom, but I'm afraid.
Monica: Well, that definitely is a problem.
* A drill is a machine used to puncture holes
1 you may: This is the best choice here. 'Yes or No' responses often follow the format of 'subject' + 'auxiliary' (you + may, in this case), and we always use the auxiliary used in the original question. If an auxiliary has not been used, we typically use 'do'.
1 may you: 'May you' is the inverted form, which would be used to ask the question, not to respond to it.
1 do you: Because Monica used the auxiliary 'may', we must use it in the response.
1 you do: Because Monica used the auxiliary 'may', we must use it in the response.
2 You do: This is the best choice here. Monica is expressing her surprise that Ronald has a problem. In this case we use the construction for the auxiliary of surprise: subject + auxiliary (you do). Because there is not an auxiliary in the original statement (I have a problem), we must use 'do'.
2 You have: 'You have' is incorrect because 'have' is not used as an auxiliary in the original statement (I have a problem), but it is a regular verb.
2 You may: 'You may' is incorrect here because the auxiliary 'may' is not used in the original statement (I have a problem).
2 You are: 'You are' is incorrect here because the auxiliary 'be' is not used in the original statement (I have a problem).
3 I do: This is the best choice here. Ronald is simply responding to Monica's question 'You do?'. 'Yes or No' responses often follow the format of 'subject' + 'auxiliary' (I + do, in this case), and we always use whichever auxiliary has been used in the original question. If an auxiliary has not been used, we typically use 'do'.
3 I have: Because Monica uses the auxiliary 'do', we must use it in the response.
3 have I: 'Have I' is the inverted form, which would be used to ask the question, not to respond to it.
3 do I: 'Do I' is the inverted form, which would be used to ask the question, not to respond to it.
Exercise 3
Bruno: Stink, have you always been able to speak?
Stink: Yes, . Is this the first time youāve ever noticed?
Bruno: Yes, . Iām sorry! Can you forgive me?
Stink: No, .
Stink: Yes, . Is this the first time youāve ever noticed?
Bruno: Yes, . Iām sorry! Can you forgive me?
Stink: No, .
Bruno: Stink, have you always been able to speak?
Stink: Yes, I have 1. Is this the first time youāve ever noticed?
Bruno: Yes, it is 2. Iām sorry! Can you forgive me?
Stink: No, I can't 3.
Stink: Yes, I have 1. Is this the first time youāve ever noticed?
Bruno: Yes, it is 2. Iām sorry! Can you forgive me?
Stink: No, I can't 3.
1 I have: When answering a question in this way, we use the same auxiliary verb (here, "have") as in the question. Combining "yes" with the auxiliary verb ("I have") can make the reply either friendlier or more emphatic. Another example: "-Have you ever eaten more than two pizzas in one day? Yes, I have".
1 I do: Bruno's question used the auxiliary verb "to have": "Have you always been ableā¦?". Therefore, Stink cannot reply using the auxiliary verb "to do" ("I do"). An example using "do": "-Do you want to come to my leather party? -Yes, I do".
1 I did: Bruno's question used the auxiliary verb "to have": "Have you always been ableā¦?". Therefore, Stink cannot reply using the auxiliary verb "to do" ("I did"). An example using "did": "-Did you steal beer from my personal fridge? -Yes, I did".
2 it is: Bruno's reply uses the same auxiliary verb as in Stink's question: "is". Bruno is confirming that this is the first time that he has noticed that Stink can talk. A similar example: "-Is this your electric cello? -Yes, it is".
2 it does: Stink's question used the auxiliary verb "to be": "Is this the first timeā¦?". Therefore, Bruno can't reply using the auxiliary verb "to do" ("it does"). An example using "does": "-Does your mother work for the council? -Yes, she does".
2 I ever: To respond to questions like this, we generally use the auxiliary verb that was used in the question. "Ever" is not an auxiliary verb ā in fact it isn't a verb at all! It is an adverb meaning "at any time". For example: "If I ever forget our anniversary, you should leave me". Bruno might have given a longer reply using "ever", for example "I haven't ever noticed before".
3 I can't: When a question uses a modal auxiliary verb, we respond with the same verb: "can". In this case, Stink's answer to Bruno's question is negative, so he uses the negative form of "can": can't. A similar example: "-Will you listen to my new single? -No, I won't".
3 I forgive not: When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "can"), not the main verb (here, "forgive"). For example: "-Might it rain today? -Yes, it might" (not "Yes, it rains"). In any case, "I forgive not" sounds very old-fashioned and unnatural: the negative form of "I forgive" in modern English is "I do not forgive" or "I don't forgive".
3 I can: "Can" is the correct verb to use here. However, we cannot use it in the affirmative after the negative "no"! Stink might have said: "Yes, I can".
Exercise 4
Edward: Polly, can you teach me some judo moves?
Polly: No, .
Edward: Why not? Donāt you have time?
Polly: No, . Now will you photocopy these papers for me?
Edward: Will you use judo on me if I donāt?
Polly: Yes, .
Polly: No, .
Edward: Why not? Donāt you have time?
Polly: No, . Now will you photocopy these papers for me?
Edward: Will you use judo on me if I donāt?
Polly: Yes, .
Edward: Polly, can you teach me some judo moves?
Polly: No, I can't 1.
Edward: Why not? Donāt you have time?
Polly: No, I don't 2. Now will you photocopy these papers for me?
Edward: Will you use judo on me if I donāt?
Polly: Yes, I will 3.
Polly: No, I can't 1.
Edward: Why not? Donāt you have time?
Polly: No, I don't 2. Now will you photocopy these papers for me?
Edward: Will you use judo on me if I donāt?
Polly: Yes, I will 3.
1 I can't: When answering a question like this, we use the same modal auxiliary verb (here, "can") as in the question. Polly's answer to Edward's question is negative, so she uses the negative form of "can": can't. Another example: "-Can you balance these plates on your arm? -Yes, I can".
1 I don't: Edward's question used the modal auxiliary verb "can": "Can you teach meā¦?". Therefore, Polly cannot reply using the auxiliary verb "to do" ("I don't"). An example using "don't": "-Do you know where the remote control is? -No, I don't".
1 I teach: When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "can"), not the main verb (here, "teach"). For example: "-Will you come to the ball with me? -Yes, I will". In addition, it does not make sense to use the affirmative form of the verb ("I teach") after the negative word "no".
2 I don't: Edward's second question uses the auxiliary verb "to do" (in its negative form, "don't"). Polly answers negatively, so she also uses "don't". A similar example: "-Don't you know how to make a cup of tea? -No, I don't".
2 I not: We cannot use the word "not" here without a verb to accompany it: "I do not" (or "I don't").
2 I have: Although "have" often functions as an auxiliary verb, in Edward's question it is the main verb: he is talking about having time. When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "don't"), not the main verb. An example with "have" as the auxiliary verb: "-Have you ever tried a lychee? -No, I haven't" (in this example, "have" is the auxiliary verb, and "tried" is the main verb).
3 I will: The auxiliary verb in the main part of Edward's third question is "will", so Polly's answer uses the same auxiliary verb. Combining "yes" with the auxiliary verb ("I will") makes the reply more emphatic. A similar example: "-Will you marry me if I learn how to swim? -Yes, I will".
3 I use: When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "will"), not the main verb (here, "use"). For example: "-May I listen to some of your records? -Yes, you may" (and not "you listen").
3 I do: "Do" is the auxiliary verb in the subordinate clause (the less important part) of Edward's question, "if I don't". The main part of his question is "Will you use judo on me?". Polly's answer should use the auxiliary verb from this part of the question ("will"). When a question includes the word "if", you should not answer using the verb that comes after "if". For example: "-Can you hear me if I don't shout? -Yes, I can!" (not "Yes, I do").
Exercise 5
Moira: Brent, have you put your shoes on the wrong feet again?
Brent: , Moira. Do you really think Iām that stupid?
Moira: Actually, . In fact, I told you so just yesterday. Donāt you remember?
Brent: . Letās get on with interviewing this clown now.
Brent: , Moira. Do you really think Iām that stupid?
Moira: Actually, . In fact, I told you so just yesterday. Donāt you remember?
Brent: . Letās get on with interviewing this clown now.
Moira: Brent, have you put your shoes on the wrong feet again?
Brent: No, I haven't 1, Moira. Do you really think Iām that stupid?
Moira: Actually, Yes, I do 2. In fact, I told you so just yesterday. Donāt you remember?
Brent: No, I don't 3. Letās get on with interviewing this clown now.
Brent: No, I haven't 1, Moira. Do you really think Iām that stupid?
Moira: Actually, Yes, I do 2. In fact, I told you so just yesterday. Donāt you remember?
Brent: No, I don't 3. Letās get on with interviewing this clown now.
1 No, I haven't: When answering a question like this, we use the same modal auxiliary verb (here, "have") as in the question. Brent's answer to Moira's question is negative, so he uses the negative form of "have": haven't (he could also have said "I have not", but it is more natural to use contractions in spoken English). Another example: "-Have you ever been to Berlin? -Yes, I have".
1 No, I didn't: Brent might say "I didn't (put my shoes on the wrong feet)" in response to the question "Did you put your shoes on the wrong feet?" (which uses the simple past tense). However, Moira's question uses the present perfect tense: "have you put your shoes on the wrong feet", so Brent's answer should use the same tense.
1 No, I put not: When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "have"), not the main verb (here, "put"). For example: "-Will you listen to me for one second? -No, I won't". In any case, "I put not" sounds very old-fashioned and unnatural: the negative form of "I put" in modern English is "I do not put" or "I don't put".
2 Yes, I do: Brent's question uses the auxiliary verb "to do" ("Do you reallyā¦?"), so Moira's answer uses the same auxiliary verb. Combining "yes" with the auxiliary verb ("I do") makes the reply more emphatic. A similar example: "-Don't you even want to have a little bit of dessert? -No, I don't".
2 Yes, I think: When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "do"), not the main verb (here, "think"). For example: "-Can you play a musical instrument? -Yes, I can" (not "I play").
2 Yes, I can: Moira would not use the modal auxiliary verb "can" here, because "can" was not used in Brent's question. A different version of the dialogue might have gone like this: "-You can't really think I'm that stupid, can you? -Yes, I can".
3 No, I don't: Moira's question uses the auxiliary verb "to do" (in its negative form, "don't?"). Brent answers in the negative, therefore he uses "don't" too. A similar example: "-Can't you hear that weird noise? -No, I can't".
3 No, I didn't: There is no reason to use the past tense here. Brent and Moira are talking about whether Brent remembers something now, not whether he remembered something in the past. An example with "didn't": "-Didn't you see Rachid last weekend? -No, I didn't".
3 No, I remember: When answering questions such as this, we generally use the auxiliary verb (here, "don't"), not the main verb (here, "remember"). For example: "-May I sleep in your bed tonight? -Yes, you may" (not "you sleep"). In addition, it does not make sense to use the affirmative form of the verb ("I remember") after the negative word "no".
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