Grammar: Yes/No Questions
A1 Lesson 5: Asking Questions with 'be'
The Golden Rule: Swap! 🔄
To change a statement (like "He is a doctor") into a Yes/No question, we simply invert, or swap, the subject and the verb. The verb 'be' (am, is, are) moves to the front of the sentence.
From Statement to Question
| Statement | Question |
|---|---|
| He is a tourist. | Is he a tourist? |
| You are ready. | Are you ready? |
| They are from Siem Reap. | Are they from Siem Reap? |
Giving Short Answers 💬
In English, we usually don't just answer with "yes" or "no". A polite short answer uses the pronoun and the verb 'be'.
How to Form Short Answers
| Question | Positive Answer | Negative Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Is she a teacher? | Yes, she is. | No, she isn't. |
| Are they expensive? | Yes, they are. | No, they aren't. |
Important: When someone asks Are you...?, you must answer with Yes, I am. or No, I'm not.
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Create Questions & Answers
Change the statement into a question, then write the correct short answer based on the clue (Yes/No).
- Statement: It is sunny today. (Yes)
→ Question: Is it sunny today?
→ Answer: Yes, it is. - Statement: They are fishermen. (No)
→ Question: Are they fishermen?
→ Answer: No, they aren't. - Statement: You are a student. (Yes)
→ Question: Are you a student?
→ Answer: Yes, I am. - Statement: The museum is open. (No)
→ Question: Is the museum open?
→ Answer: No, it isn't.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Ask About Your City
Write two Yes/No questions about your city or town (for example, Siem Reap). Then, write a true short answer for each question.
Example: Question: Is Pub Street busy at night? Answer: Yes, it is.
Key Vocabulary
- Question A sentence that asks for information.
- Invert To change the position of two things; to swap.
- Short Answer A short reply to a question, like "Yes, I am" or "No, she isn't."