Questions with the verb "to be"

Yes/No questions are questions you can answer with:

• Yes
• No

Example:

• “She is happy.” → “Is she happy?” (Yes, she is. / No, she is not.)

1. How to Form Yes/No Questions with "Be"

The verb be is different from most other verbs. To make a question, put am / is / are before the subject.

To make a question, you change the word order.

Structure:

• Am / Is / Are + subject + other information?

The information after the subject can be an adjective, a noun, a place, or a time.

Examples:

• “Am I late?”
• “Am I in the right place?”
• “Is he your friend?”
• “Is she ready?”
• “Are they at home?”
• “Are we going home?”
• “Are you okay?”

You do not use do/does with the verb "be".

2. Answering Yes/No Questions with the Verb "Be"

You answer yes/no questions with a short answer: yes or no + subject + be.

Positive answers

Pattern: Yes, + subject + be.

Examples:

• “Am I early?” → Yes, you are.
• “Is she happy?” → Yes, she is.
• “Are they ready?” → Yes, they are.

Negative answers

Pattern: No, + subject + be + not. Contractions are also common: 'you're not', 'she isn't', 'they aren't'.

Examples:

• “Am I early?” → No, you are not. / No, you're not. / No, you aren't.
• “Is she happy?” → No, she is not. / No, she's not. / No, she isn't.
• “Are they ready?” → No, they are not. / No, they're not. / No, they aren't.

Important rule:

In short answers, do not repeat the adjective, noun, or place. Say Yes, she is., not Yes, she is happy.

3. "Be" vs Other Verbs (Important Difference)

Most verbs need do / does to make questions. The verb "be" does not.

Compare:

• “She is happy.” → “Is she happy?”
• “She likes coffee.” → “Does she like coffee?”

4. Tips

To make a yes/no question with be, put am / is / are before the subject: “She is happy.” → “Is she happy?” In short answers, use be again: “Yes, she is.” / “No, she isn't.”