GLOW: Grammar Lessons On the Web
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To Be in Yes/No Questions
In a question that can be answered with yes or no, put the verb at the beginning of the sentence. Add a question mark.

statement	I am a student	You are a student	He is a student
question	Am I a student?	Are you a student?	Is he a student?

Notice where the verb moves to:

Statement: You are hungry.
Subject/verb
Question: Are you hungry?
Verb/subject

You can answer these questions with short answers.

Are you hungry?	Yes, I am
Is he a doctor?	Yes, he is.
Are they too hot?	Yes, they are.

Negative short answers sometimes have two forms.

Are you tired?	No, I'm not.
Am I fat?	No, you aren't. No you're not.
Is he a teacher?	No, he isn't. No, he's not.
Are we home yet?	No, we aren't. No, we're not.
Are they elephants?	No, they aren't. No, they're not.

Note: There is only one short answer for in the first person--No, I'm not.

Practice #1 Practice #2 List of Lessons

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