Yes/No Questions in English Grammar
Introduction
Anglais - Seconde - France
Definition of Yes/No Questions
What are Yes/No Questions?
Yes/No questions, also known as closed questions, are questions that can be answered with either "yes" or "no". These questions require a simple response and are formed by inverting the subject and auxiliary verb.
Formation of Yes/No Questions
How to Form Yes/No Questions
2 Example: (You are happy) → (Are you happy?)
3 Example: (He plays football) → (Does he play football?)
2 Present Continuous: "Are you studying?"
3 Past Simple: "Did you go to school?"
4 Past Continuous: "Were you watching TV?"
Present Simple Yes/No Questions
Present Simple Formation
2 Use "Does" for He/She/It: "She reads books" → "Does she read books?"
3 The main verb returns to its base form: "plays" → "play"
2 Does he work here? → Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.
3 Do they live in Paris? → Yes, they do. / No, they don't.
Present Continuous Yes/No Questions
Present Continuous Formation
2 Place the auxiliary verb before the subject
3 Keep the main verb in "-ing" form
2 Is she working now? → Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
3 Are they playing football? → Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
Past Simple Yes/No Questions
Past Simple Formation
2 The main verb returns to its base form (infinitive without "to")
3 "Did" carries the past tense, so main verb stays in present form
2 Did she visit her grandmother? → Yes, she did. / No, she didn't.
3 Did they finish their homework? → Yes, they did. / No, they didn't.
Past Continuous Yes/No Questions
Past Continuous Formation
2 Place the auxiliary verb before the subject
3 Keep the main verb in "-ing" form
4 Use "was" for I/he/she/it and "were" for you/we/they
2 Were you listening to music? → Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.
3 Were they playing games? → Yes, they were. / No, they weren't.
Yes/No Questions with Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs Formation
2 Place modal verb before subject
3 Keep main verb in base form (infinitive without "to")
2 Could you help me? → Yes, I could. / No, I couldn't.
3 Should I call him? → Yes, you should. / No, you shouldn't.
4 Will you come tomorrow? → Yes, I will. / No, I won't.
Negative Responses
Short Negative Answers
2 Include subject
3 Add negative auxiliary verb
4 Example: "Do you like coffee?" → "No, I don't."
2 Present Continuous: "No, I'm not." / "No, they aren't."
3 Past Simple: "No, I didn't." / "No, she didn't."
4 Modal Verbs: "No, I can't." / "No, I shouldn't."
Positive Responses
Short Positive Answers
Start with "Yes", include the subject, and add the positive auxiliary verb.
2 Present Continuous: "Are you studying?" → "Yes, I am."
3 Past Simple: "Did you see the movie?" → "Yes, I did."
4 Modal Verbs: "Can you swim?" → "Yes, I can."
Short answers: "Yes, I do." / Full answers: "Yes, I do work here."
Practice Exercise 1
Convert Statements to Questions
Convert the following statements into yes/no questions:
2 She reads books. → Does she read books?
3 They are sleeping. → Are they sleeping?
4 He was working. → Was he working?
5 You can swim. → Can you swim?
Check your answers against the examples provided above.
Practice Exercise 2
Complete the Questions
Complete the following questions with the correct auxiliary verb:
2 ___ she work here? (Does)
3 ___ they playing football? (Are)
4 ___ he was reading? (Was)
5 ___ you can swim? (Can - but rearranged to "Can you swim?")
1. Do, 2. Does, 3. Are, 4. Was, 5. Can (but question form is "Can you swim?")
Practice Exercise 3
Give Short Answers
Answer the following questions with short positive or negative responses:
2 Is she coming to the party? → Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
3 Did you finish your homework? → Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
4 Can you drive? → Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
5 Were they at school yesterday? → Yes, they were. / No, they weren't.
Common Mistakes
Errors to Avoid
2 ❌ "Does she go to school?" → ✅ "Does she go to school?" (correct for third person)
3 ❌ "Did you went to the store?" → ✅ "Did you go to the store?" (use base form with did)
4 ❌ "Are you speaks English?" → ✅ "Are you speaking English?" (keep -ing form)
2 Question: "Is she working?" → Answer: "No, she isn't." (not "No, she doesn't")
Dialogue Practice
Conversation Practice
Practice this dialogue aloud, focusing on the formation of yes/no questions and short answers:
A: Hi! Do you live in Paris?
B: Yes, I do. Do you live here too?
A: No, I don't. I'm just visiting. Are you a student?
B: Yes, I am. I'm studying English. Can you speak French?
A: Yes, I can. And can you speak English well?
B: Yes, I can, but I need more practice. Were you born in France?
A: No, I wasn't. I was born in England.
- 1 Pay attention to auxiliary verb placement
- 2 Match your answers to the question type
- 3 Practice with a partner if possible
- 4 Focus on natural rhythm and intonation
Self-Assessment
Test Your Knowledge
How do you form a yes/no question from "She likes chocolate"?
A) Does she likes chocolate?
B) Do she like chocolate?
C) Does she like chocolate?
Answer: C) Does she like chocolate?
What is the correct short answer to "Are you tired?" if you want to say no?
A) No, I am
B) No, I'm not
C) No, I don't
Answer: B) No, I'm not
Which auxiliary verb do you use for "Did you go to school yesterday?"
A) Do
B) Does
C) Did
Answer: C) Did
Review Summary
Key Points
- Present Simple: Do/Does + Subject + Base Verb
- Present Continuous: Am/Is/Are + Subject + Verb+ing
- Past Simple: Did + Subject + Base Verb
- Past Continuous: Was/Were + Subject + Verb+ing
- Modal Verbs: Modal + Subject + Base Verb
- Positive: Yes, Subject + Auxiliary
- Negative: No, Subject + Auxiliary + not
- Always match the auxiliary verb from the question
Conclusion
Well Done!
Continue practicing to build confidence in speaking