How to ask yes/no questions in English
Short answer: A yes/no question starts with a helper verb: am, is, are, do, does or can. Use Are you...? Is it...? Do you...? Does she...? Can you...? After does, use the plain verb. Answer with yes or no and repeat the helper: Yes, I do. No, she doesn’t.
▶ Open the rule card · ✏️ Practice this rule
At a glance
| Verb in the question | Helper | Example | Short answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| be | am / is / are | Is it a cat? | Yes, it is. |
| action verb | do / does | Do you like apples? | Yes, I do. |
| can | can | Can you swim? | No, I can’t. |
In short
- Start the question with the helper.
- After does, use the plain action word.
- Short answers repeat the helper: Yes, I do. / No, I can't.
What is the rule for “Yes/No questions and short answers”?
The rule
Start the question with the helper: am / is / are, do / does or can. Answer with yes or no and the helper again.
How it looks
Are you ...? Is it ...? Do you ...? Does she ...? Can you ...?
What it means
The answer is yes or no.
When to use it
Use it to ask if something is true.
How it works
- Choose the helper: be (am, is, are), do or does, or can.
- Put the helper first, then the subject, then the rest: Do you like apples?
- After does, the main verb is plain: Does she like cats?
- Answer with yes or no and repeat the helper: Yes, she does.
Examples of “Yes/No questions and short answers”
- Is it a cat?
Yes, it is. / No, it isn't. - Do you like apples?
Yes, I do. / No, I don't. - Does he have a bike?
Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't. After does we use have. - Can you swim?
Yes, I can. / No, I can't. - Are you hungry?
Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. - Do they live here?
Yes, they do. / No, they don’t. - Is she your teacher?
Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t. - Can he ride a bike?
Yes, he can. / No, he can’t.
Common mistakes with “Yes/No questions and short answers”
Are you like pizza?→ Do you like pizza?
With an action word such as like, we ask with Do.Does she likes cats?→ Does she like cats?
After does use the plain action word.Yes, I like.→ Yes, I do.
In a short answer, use the helper: do.You like pizza?→ Do you like pizza?
In writing, use the helper first.Is you tired?→ Are you tired?
you goes with are.
Exceptions: watch out
- Does + plain action word
After does we use the plain action word: Does she like cats? Not Does she likes cats?
Yes/no questions and wh- questions
A yes/no question asks if something is true. A wh- question asks for information and uses a question word.
| Type | Example | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| yes/no | Do you like apples? | Yes, I do. |
| wh- | What do you like? | I like apples. |
See also: Wh- questions: what, where, who, how
Check yourself
- Make a question: “She likes cats.”
Show the answer
Does she like cats? Use does and the plain verb.
- Answer: “Is it a cat?” (no)
Show the answer
No, it isn’t. Repeat the helper: is.
- Fix: “Are you like pizza?”
Show the answer
Do you like pizza? With an action verb, use do.
How to practice “Yes/No questions and short answers”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: Yes/No questions and short answers
Questions
Do I have to answer “yes” or “no” first?
In short answers, yes. Yes, I do. is natural. Just saying Yes or Yes, I like. sounds incomplete.
Why “Do you like?” and not “Are you like?”
Like is an action verb, so the helper is do. Are is only for be.
Can I make a question by raising my voice?
In speech you can, but it is informal. In writing, use the helper first.
More Sentence Building rules
- Subject + Verb: A sentence needs someone or something (the subject) and a verb: Birds fly.
- Verbs can have an object: Some verbs can have an object: the person or thing that gets the action.
- Present simple: I, you, we, they: For things we do again and again, and for likes, use the plain action word with I, you, we and they.
- Present simple: he, she, it + -s: With he, she, it or one name, the action word usually adds -s.
- Negatives: not with be and can: To say no with am, is, are or can, add not: I am not, she isn't, they aren't, it can't.
- Negatives: don't and doesn't: To say no with an action word, use don't or doesn't and then the plain action word.
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G2: Sentence Building. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30
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