Short answers are normally constructed with subject and auxiliary verb. Other words in the question are usually omitted in short answers.
In affirmative short answers, we use stressed, non-contracted forms.
- ‘Are you happy?’ ‘Yes, I am.’ (NOT Yes, I’m.)
In negative short answers, we usually use contracted forms.
Examples are given below:
- were not – weren’t
- cannot – can’t
- will not – won’t
- are not – aren’t
Exercise
Read the questions given below and write appropriate short answers in the space provided against them.
1"Have you got a light?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use the full auxiliary in an affirmative short answer: "I have".
2"Do you know the answer?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "I don't" and "I do not".
3"Will you give me a hand?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use the full auxiliary in an affirmative short answer: "I will".
4"Can you help me with the homework?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "I can't" and "I cannot".
5"Can I borrow your car?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "you can't" and "you cannot".
6"Was the film interesting?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use the past form of "be" in the short answer: "it was".
7"Does she like flowers?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use "does" for a present simple short answer with "she": "she does".
8"Can I use your computer?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Reply with the same modal and the correct subject: "you can".
9"Should we tell her?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "we shouldn't" and "we should not".
10"Should I wait?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "you shouldn't" and "you should not".
Done.
Score: 0/10
Answers
- “Have you got a light?” “Yes, I have“
- “Do you know the answer?” “No, I don’t / I do not“
- “Will you give me a hand?” “Yes, I will“
- “Can you help me with the homework?” “No, I can’t / I cannot“
- “Can I borrow your car?” “No, you can’t / you cannot“
- “Was the film interesting?” “Yes, it was“
- “Does she like flowers?” “Yes, she does“
- “Can I use your computer?” “Yes, you can“
- “Should we tell her?” “No, we shouldn’t / we should not“
- “Should I wait?” “No, you shouldn’t / you should not“

