OVERVIEW

On this page, you will learn about Yes / No questions.

First, read the text and study the charts.
Then, listen to audio of the charts.

READ & LISTEN

Read:

In English, there are two kinds of Yes / No questions:

questions using the verb be
questions using other verbs

When you ask Yes / No questions with the verb be, you change the order of the subject and verb. Notice that the verb is the same verb. You only change the order.


SENTENCE	QUESTION
This is a keyboard.	Is this a keyboard?
Celia's computer is a Dell.	Is Celia's computer a Dell?
The monitors are 17-inch monitors.	Are the monitors 17-inch monitors?

When the verb is not “be”, we usually use the auxiliary verb “do”.

Exception: If the subject is third person singular, use does. Notice that this kind of question has two (2) verbs -- do/does and the main verb


SENTENCE	QUESTION
You use a mouse to click on icons.	Do you use a mouse to click on icons?
The students use Microsoft Word to type paragraphs.	Do the students use Microsoft Word to type paragraphs?
He studies English in Canvas.	Does he study English in Canvas?

Listen:

Read:

It is common to use a short answer instead of a long sentence when you answer a Yes / No question. Look at the chart below to review some more Yes / No questions and the short answers to the questions. Pay close attention to how the questions are answered.

Yes / No Answers with Be:


QUESTION	YES	NO
Am I typing?	Yes, you are.	No, you aren't.
Is he watching a YouTube video?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn't.
Is this the monitor?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn't.
Are you I-DEA students?	Yes, we are.	No, we aren't.

Yes / No Answers with Do and Does:


QUESTION	YES	NO
Do you make presentations in PowerPoint?	Yes, I do.	No, I don't.
Does Marisela save files to her USB?	Yes, she does.	No, she doesn't.
Do Sal and Manuel use Google to search the internet?	Yes, they do.	No, they don't.
Does your family own a laptop?	Yes, we do.	No, we don't.

Listen: