Yes, + subject + do/does.Positive short answer. Use do for I/you/we/they and does for he/she/it.
Short Answers
A1Short answers avoid repeating the full sentence: Yes, I do. No, she doesn't. Use the same auxiliary as the question.
What you'll learn
- Give short yes answers with do or does.
- Give short no answers with don't or doesn't.
- Match the auxiliary in the answer to the auxiliary in the question.
- Use a pronoun instead of repeating the full name.
Structure
No, + subject + don't/doesn't.Negative short answer. Use don't for I/you/we/they and doesn't for he/she/it.
Build a sentence
Question subject
Verb in question
Yes,shedoes
Does she work here? Yes, she does.
With she, the short answer uses does.
When to use
Quick replies
Use short answers in conversation when the answer is clear from the question. They sound natural and avoid repetition.
After yes/no questions
When someone asks Do you work here? or Does Lisa drive?, answer with the matching auxiliary, not a full sentence.
With names and nouns
Questions often use names or nouns, but short answers switch to pronouns: Does Maria cook? Yes, she does.
Markers
YesNododoesdon'tdoesn't
Common mistakes
Wrong
Does Lisa work here? Yes, Lisa works here.
Correct
Does Lisa work here? Yes, she does.
Short answers use Yes + pronoun + auxiliary. Do not repeat the whole sentence.
Wrong
Does Tom drive? Yes, he do.
Correct
Does Tom drive? Yes, he does.
Does in the question matches does in the short answer.
Wrong
Does Maria live here? No, she don't.
Correct
Does Maria live here? No, she doesn't.
After he, she, it use doesn't, not don't.
Wrong
Does Anna cook? Yes, Anna does.
Correct
Does Anna cook? Yes, she does.
Short answers switch from the name in the question to a pronoun in the answer.
Common misconceptions
❝ I must repeat the full sentence to sound clear. ❞
In conversation, short answers are the normal clear form: Yes, I do. No, she doesn't.
❝ If the meaning is clear, any auxiliary is fine in a short answer. ❞
Short answers must match the question: Do...? → do/don't, Does...? → does/doesn't.
Skills in this rule (4)
YES_WITH_DO_DOESw5Answer yes/no questions with Yes + subject + do or does
Use short answers after Present Simple yes/no questions with do-support. Match do with I/you/we/they and does with he/she/it.
NO_WITH_DONT_DOESNTw5Answer yes/no questions with No + subject + don't or doesn't
Use short negative answers after Present Simple yes/no questions. Match don't with I/you/we/they and doesn't with he/she/it.
MATCH_AUXILIARY_FROM_QUESTIONw5Use the same auxiliary from the question in the answer
Look at the question first: Do...? takes do/don't in the answer, and Does...? takes does/doesn't. The auxiliary in the answer mirrors the one in the question.
USE_PRONOUN_NOT_FULL_NAMEw4Use a pronoun in the short answer
After a question about Anna, Tom, Lisa, or another noun, answer with a pronoun like she, he, or they. Short answers do not repeat the full name.