Unit 11: SHORT ANSWERS

We can use short answers to answer (1) questions which ask for 'yes' or 'no' and (2) subject questions (Unit 10). The verb of a short answer contains only the first auxiliary (Unit 3).

With the verb be

[Q]:QUESTION, [A]:SHORT ANSWER

[Q] Are they students?
[A] Yes, they are.

[Q] Is he at home?
[A] No, he is not.

[Q] Who was the winner?
[A] John was.

With present and past simple (Units 19, 21)

[Q] Does he drive an ambulance?
[A] No, he doesn't.

[Q] Did Ahmed meet Maria at the airport?
[A] Yes, he did.

[Q] Who gave you all that money?
[A] My father did. NOT my father gave

[Q] Who lives in that house?
[A] John does. NOT John lives

NOTICE: Question: Does he need an appointment?

CORRECT ANSWERS:
Yes.
Yes, he does.
Yes, he needs an appointment.

WRONG ANSWERS:
Yes, he needs.
Yes, he does need.

With other verb formations

[Q] Are they having a meeting?
[A] Yes, they are.

[Q] Will Canada win the World Cup?
[A] No, they won't. (will not)

[Q] Have you been working hard?
[A] No, I haven't.

[Q] Who has got a first aid certificate?
[A] John has.

NOTICE: We normally use the short form of not (n't) in short answers.

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Exercise 11.1
Exercise 11.2