Definition and Examples of Short Answers in English

Definition and Examples of Short Answers in English In spoken English and informal writing, a short answer is a response made up of a subject and an auxiliary verb or modal. A short answer is generally regarded as more polite than just an abrupt yes or no. Conventionally, the verb in a short answer is in the same tense as the verb in the question. Also, the verb in the short answer should agree in person and number with its subject. Examples and Observations How did she do in her exams? Maria had already told me she had done quite well, but I was now flailing around to keep the conversation going.She passed.She is all right, isnt she?Yes, she is, he replied firmly.(Vikram Seth, An Equal Music. Random House, 1999)The poor lass took quite a fall, didnt she? Gelfrid remarked. Is she usually so clumsy?No, she isnt,† Judith answered.(Julie Garwood, The Secret. Pocket Books, 1992)Youre asking yourself, Can I give this child the best possible upbringing and keep her out of harms way her whole life long? The answer is no, you cant.(Barbara Kingsolver, The Bean Trees. Harper Row, 1988)Can we change? Yes, we can. Can they change? Yes, they can.(Oz Clarke, Oz Clarkes Pocket Wine Guide. Sterling, 2009)Will, youve been in love before, havent you? I mean, with Anna, of course . . . and your various . . . well, you have, havent you?Will looked into his glass. No. No, I havent.(Jennifer Donnelly, The Tea Rose. Macmillan, 2004) Whats up with him?His stomach is sick. Hes nervous about his speech.Hes got food poisoning! Helen declared. â€Å"Hasnt he?†Ã¢â‚¬Å"No, he has not!†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Yes, he has.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"No, he has not!†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Yes, he has.†(Marian Keyes, Anybody Out There? William Morrow, 2006)No, I wont, Jeremiahno I wontno I wont!I wont go, Ill stay here. Ill hear all I dont know, and say all I know. I will, at last, if I die for it. I will, I will, I will, I will!(Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, 1857) Short-Answer Patterns Answers are often grammatically incomplete, because they do not need to repeat words that have just been said. A typical short answer pattern is subject auxiliary verb, together with whatever other words are really necessary. Can he swim? Yes, he can.(More natural than Yes, he can swim.)Has it stopped raining? No, it hasnt.Are you enjoying yourself? I certainly am.Youll be on holiday soon. Yes, I will.Dont forget to telephone. I wont.You didnt phone Debbie last night. No, but I did this morning. Non-auxiliary be and have are also used in short answers. Is she happy? I think she is.Have you a light? Yes, I have. We use do and did in answers to sentences that have neither an auxiliary verb nor non-auxiliary be or have. She likes cakes. She really does.That surprised you. It certainly did. Short answers can be followed by tags . . .. Nice day. Yes, it is, isnt it? Note that stressed, non-contracted forms are used in short answers.(Michael Swan, Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press, 1995) Short Answers With So, Neither, and Nor 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 using the same verb that was used in the statement. You use so, neither, or nor with an auiliary, modal, or the main verb be. The verb comes before the subject. You were different then. So were you.I dont normally drink at lunch. Neither do I.I cant do it. Nor can I. You can use not either instead of neither, in which case the verb comes after the subject. He doesnt understand. We dont either. 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. Youll be home at six? I hope so.So it was worth doing? I suppose so. You use Im afraid so when you are sorry that the answer is yes. Is it raining? Im afraid so. With suppose, think, imagine, or expect in short answers, you also form negatives with so. Will I see you again? I dont suppose so.Is Barry Knight a golfer? No, I dont think so. However, you say I hope not and Im afraid not. It isnt empty, is it? I hope not. (Collins COBUILD Active English Grammar. HarperCollins, 2003)