Short Answers

What Is It?

Short Answers refers to brief yes/no answers that repeat the auxiliary instead of the full verb phrase.

A1-A2 reference topic in Questions and Responses.

Why Use It?

Answer naturally without repeating the whole sentence.
Show tense and polarity clearly.
Avoid one-word answers that sound abrupt.

Formation and Patterns

Use	Pattern	Example
With be	`Yes, S + be / No, S + be not`	Yes, I am. No, she isn't.
With do	`Yes, S + do/does/did`	Yes, they do.
With modals	`Yes, S + modal`	No, we can't.

Common Mistakes

Answering "Yes, I like" instead of "Yes, I do."
Using contracted positive forms in formal short answers: Yes, I am, not Yes, I'm.
Changing subject pronouns incorrectly.

Exceptions & Nuances

In conversation, short answers often add a small comment: Yes, I do. It is useful.