The following is the most usual form of short answers to questions beginning with an auxiliary verb:
Yes + pronoun + auxiliary
No + pronoun + auxiliary + n’t (not)
- Are you going to school? Yes, I am./ No, I am not.
- Can you speak English? Yes, I can. / No, I can’t.
- Did she come? Yes, she did. / No, she didn’t.
- Is your son married? Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
- Does John work hard? Yes, he does. / No, he doesn’t.
- Is Peter your friend? Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
Agreements and disagreements with statements
Agreements with affirmative statements are made with the structure ‘Yes + pronoun + auxiliary’.
- She is a nice girl. Yes, she is.
- Joe has already come. Yes, he has.
- He can speak English very well. Yes, he can.
Agreements with negative statements are made with the structure ‘No + pronoun + auxiliary + n’t (not)’.
- The apples aren’t good. No, they aren’t.
- She doesn’t like fish. No, she doesn’t.
- They didn’t play well. No, they didn’t.
Disagreements with affirmative statements are made with the structure ‘No + pronoun + auxiliary + n’t (not)‘. But is used in disagreements with a question.
- He is mad. No, he isn’t.
- You are joking. No, I am not.
- Why did you beat him? But I didn’t.
Disagreements with negative statements are made with the structure ‘Yes + pronoun + auxiliary’.
- You can’t do it. Yes, I can.
- He won’t come again. Yes, he will.
- I didn’t break it. Yes, you did.
