Collins Cobuild

Unit 10
Short answers
Main points
A short answer uses an auxiliary, a modal, or the main verb ‘be’.
A short answer can be in the form of a statement or a question.
1
Short answers are very common in spoken English. For example, when
someone asks you a ‘yes/no’-question, you can give a short answer by
using a pronoun with an auxiliary, modal, or the main verb ‘be’. You
usually put ‘yes’ or ‘no’ before the short answer.
‘Does she still want to come?’ – ‘Yes, she does.’
‘Can you imagine what it might feel like?’ – ‘No, I can’t.’
‘Are you married?’ – ‘I am.’
Note that a short answer such as ‘Yes, I will’ is more polite or friendly
than just ‘Yes’, or than repeating all the words used in the question.
People often repeat all the words used in the question when they feel
angry or impatient.
‘Will you have finished by lunchtime?’ – ‘Yes, I will have finished by
lunchtime.’
2
 You  can  also  use  short  answers  to  agree  or  disagree  with  what
someone says.
‘You don’t like Joan?’ – ‘No, I don’t.’

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‘I’m not coming with you.’ – ‘Yes, you are.’
If  the  statement  that  you  are  commenting  on  does  not  contain  an
auxiliary, modal, or the main verb ‘be’, you use a form of ‘do’ in the
short answer.
‘He never comes on time.’ – ‘Oh yes he does.’
3
You often reply to what has been said by using a short question.
‘He’s not in Japan now.’ – ‘Oh, isn’t he?’
‘He gets free meals.’ – ‘Does he?’
Note that questions like these are not always asked to get information,
but are often used to express your reaction to what has been said, for
example to show interest or surprise.
‘Dad doesn’t help me at all.’ – ‘Doesn’t he? Why not?’
‘Penny has been climbing before.’ – ‘Oh, has she? When was that?’
4
If you want to show that you definitely agree with a positive statement
that someone has just made, you can use a negative short question.
‘Well, that was very nice.’ – ‘Yes, wasn’t it?’
5
When you want to ask for more information, you can use a ‘wh’-word
on its own or with a noun as a short answer.
‘He saw a snake.’ – ‘Where?’
‘He knew my cousin.’ – ‘Which cousin?’
You can also use ‘Which one’ and ‘Which ones’.
‘Can you pass me the cup?’ – ‘Which one?’
6
 Sometimes  a  statement  about  one  person  also  applies  to  another
person. When this is the case, you can use a short answer with ‘so’ for
positive statements, and with ‘neither’ or ‘nor’ for negative statements,

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using the same verb that was used in the statement.
You use ‘so’, ‘neither’, or ‘nor’ with an auxiliary, modal, or the main
verb ‘be’. The verb comes before the subject.
‘You were different then.’ – ‘So were you.’
‘I don’t normally drink at lunch.’ – ‘Neither do I.’
‘I can’t do it.’ – ‘Nor can I.’
You  can  use  ‘not  either’  instead  of  ‘neither’,  in  which  case  the  verb
comes after the subject.
‘He doesn’t understand.’ – ‘We don’t either.’
7
You often use ‘so’ in short answers after verbs such as ‘think’, ‘hope’,
‘expect’, ‘imagine’, and ‘suppose’, when you think that the answer to
the question is ‘yes’.
‘You’ll be home at six?’ – ‘I hope so.’
‘So it was worth doing?’ – ‘I suppose so.’
You use ‘I’m afraid so’ when you are sorry that the answer is ‘yes’.
‘Is it raining?’ – ‘I’m afraid so.’
With ‘suppose’, ‘think’, ‘imagine’, or ‘expect’ in short answers, you also
form negatives with ‘so’.
‘Will I see you again?’ – ‘I don’t suppose so.’
‘Is Barry Knight a golfer?’ – ‘No, I don’t think so.’
However, you say ‘I hope not’ and ‘I’m afraid not’.
‘It isn’t empty, is it?’ – ‘I hope not.’

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