Affirmative answers have the following structure: Yes, subject + auxiliary verb.
Read the following sentences.
- Has he given his consent?
- Yes, he has.
In short answers, we do not usually repeat other information. However, we can repeat the whole sentence in a more formal style.
- Yes, he has given his consent.
- Has she returned yet?
- Yes, she has. OR Yes, she has returned.
- Have they received the parcel?
- Yes, they have. OR Yes, they have received the parcel.
- Is she getting married?
- Yes, she is. OR Yes, she is getting married.
- Is it raining?
- Yes, it is. OR Yes, it is raining.
Affirmative sentences in the simple present and simple past tenses do not have auxiliary verbs. When we change them into questions, we use the auxiliary verbs do, does and did. Do is also used in short answers.
Study the following sentences.
- James makes models from clay.
- Does James make models from clay?
- Yes, he does.
Do is not used when we repeat the whole sentence.
- Yes, he makes models from clay.
- Ann writes stories.
- Does Ann write stories?
- Yes, she does. OR Yes, she writes stories.
- My mother makes delicious cakes.
- Does my mother make delicious cakes?
- Yes, she does. OR Yes, she makes delicious cakes.
Notes
The sentence ‘Yes, she does write stories’ or ‘Yes, she does make delicious cakes’ are not grammatically wrong. In fact these structures are preferred when we want to emphasize the fact that a person does something.
Compare:
- Does Jack speak English?
- Yes, he speaks English. (No emphasis on the verb speaks.)
- Yes, he does speak English. (Emphasis on the verb speak)
- Did you speak to the manager?
- Yes, I spoke to the manager. (No emphasis on the verb spoke)
- Yes, I did speak to the manager. (Emphasis on the verb speak)
