Short Answers: Yes, I Do and No, I Don’t (Respostas Curtas)

In Portuguese, we answer a question by repeating the verb: “Você gosta de café?” “Gosto.” In English, we answer with the auxiliary: “Do you like coffee?” “Yes, I do.” These short answers sound natural and polite, and a simple “yes” or “no” alone can sound a little cold.Em português, respondemos uma pergunta repetindo o verbo: “Você gosta de café?” “Gosto.” Em inglês, respondemos com o auxiliar: “Do you like coffee?” “Yes, I do.” Essas respostas curtas soam naturais e educadas, e um “yes” ou “no” sozinho pode soar um pouco frio.

A1 Short answers with be

When the question starts with am, is, are, was or were, the answer uses the same verb. Change the subject to a pronoun: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.Quando a pergunta começa com am, is, are, was ou were, a resposta usa o mesmo verbo. Troque o sujeito por um pronome: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.

Yes / No+pronoun+auxiliary (+ not)

Question	Yes	No
Are you tired?	Yes, I am.	No, I’m not.
Is your brother at home?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn’t.
Are they from Recife?	Yes, they are.	No, they aren’t.
Is it cold outside?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn’t.
Was the movie good?	Yes, it was.	No, it wasn’t.
Were you at the party?	Yes, I was.	No, I wasn’t.

No short form in “yes” answers

In a positive short answer, the auxiliary is the last word, so it can’t be contracted: Yes, I am. (never “Yes, I’m.”) Yes, she is. (never “Yes, she’s.”) In negative answers, short forms are normal: No, I’m not. No, she isn’t.Na resposta curta afirmativa, o auxiliar é a última palavra, então não pode ser contraído: Yes, I am. (nunca “Yes, I’m.”) Yes, she is. (nunca “Yes, she’s.”) Nas respostas negativas, as formas curtas são normais: No, I’m not. No, she isn’t.

A1 Short answers with do, does and did

Questions in the present simple and past simple use do, does or did. The short answer repeats this auxiliary, never the main verb.As perguntas no presente simples e no passado simples usam do, does ou did. A resposta curta repete esse auxiliar, nunca o verbo principal.

“Do you like soccer?” “Yes, I do.” (“Você gosta de futebol?” “Gosto.”)
“Does your mom work on Saturdays?” “No, she doesn’t.” (“Sua mãe trabalha aos sábados?” “Não, não trabalha.”)
“Did you watch the game?” “Yes, I did.” (“Você assistiu ao jogo?” “Assisti.”)
“Do your friends live near here?” “No, they don’t.” (“Seus amigos moram aqui perto?” “Não, não moram.”)

Teacher’s tip

Look at the first word of the question. It is usually the word you need in the answer: Does he…? → Yes, he does. Were you…? → No, I wasn’t.Olhe a primeira palavra da pergunta. Normalmente ela é a palavra que você precisa na resposta: Does he…? → Yes, he does. Were you…? → No, I wasn’t.

A2 Short answers with have, can, will and other auxiliaries

The same rule works with every auxiliary and modal verb: present perfect (have), ability (can), future (will), advice (should) and more.A mesma regra funciona com todos os auxiliares e verbos modais: presente perfeito (have), habilidade (can), futuro (will), conselho (should) e outros.

Question	Yes	No
Have you finished?	Yes, I have.	No, I haven’t.
Has she called you?	Yes, she has.	No, she hasn’t.
Can you swim?	Yes, I can.	No, I can’t.
Will it rain tomorrow?	Yes, it will.	No, it won’t.
Should I bring a jacket?	Yes, you should.	No, you shouldn’t.
Are you going to travel?	Yes, I am.	No, I’m not.

Questions about other people and things

Pay attention to the pronoun. If the question is about you, the answer uses I or we. If it is about another person or a thing, use he, she, it or they. With there is and there are, keep there.Preste atenção no pronome. Se a pergunta é sobre você, a resposta usa I ou we. Se é sobre outra pessoa ou uma coisa, use he, she, it ou they. Com there is e there are, mantenha o there.

“Are you and Sam coming?” “Yes, we are.” (“Você e o Sam vêm?” “Vamos, sim.”)
“Does the hotel have a pool?” “Yes, it does.” (“O hotel tem piscina?” “Tem, sim.”)
“Is there a pharmacy near here?” “No, there isn’t.” (“Tem uma farmácia aqui perto?” “Não, não tem.”)
“Are there any tickets left?” “Yes, there are.” (“Ainda tem ingressos?” “Tem, sim.”)

A2 Sounding natural and friendly

In real conversations, people often add a little more after the short answer. When you are not 100% sure, there are also handy answers that don’t need an auxiliary.Nas conversas reais, as pessoas muitas vezes acrescentam um pouco mais depois da resposta curta. Quando você não tem 100% de certeza, também existem respostas práticas que não precisam de auxiliar.

“Do you like Japanese food?” “Yes, I do. I love sushi!” (“Você gosta de comida japonesa?” “Gosto. Amo sushi!”)
“Have you been to Rio?” “No, I haven’t, but I’d love to go.” (“Você já foi ao Rio?” “Não, mas adoraria ir.”)

Offers: yes, please

When someone offers you something, the short answer is different: “Would you like some water?” “Yes, please.” / “No, thank you.” Here “Yes, I would” is correct but sounds less natural.Quando alguém te oferece algo, a resposta curta é diferente: “Would you like some water?” “Yes, please.” / “No, thank you.” Aqui “Yes, I would” está correto, mas soa menos natural.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these

✗ “Do you like pizza?” “Yes, I like.” ✓ “Yes, I do.”Responda com o auxiliar da pergunta, não com o verbo principal.

✗ “Are you ready?” “Yes, I’m.” ✓ “Yes, I am.”Na resposta curta afirmativa, não use a forma contraída.

✗ “Did you call him?” “Yes, I called.” ✓ “Yes, I did.”Pergunta com did, resposta com did.

✗ “Is your sister a doctor?” “Yes, it is.” ✓ “Yes, she is.”Para pessoas, use he ou she, nunca it.

Quick Summary

Question starts with	Example	Português
am / is / are	“Are you OK?” “Yes, I am.”	“Você está bem?” “Estou.”
was / were	“Was it fun?” “No, it wasn’t.”	“Foi divertido?” “Não foi.”
do / does	“Does he cook?” “Yes, he does.”	“Ele cozinha?” “Cozinha.”
did	“Did you sleep well?” “Yes, I did.”	“Você dormiu bem?” “Dormi.”
have / has	“Have you eaten?” “No, I haven’t.”	“Você já comeu?” “Ainda não.”
can / will / should	“Can you drive?” “Yes, I can.”	“Você sabe dirigir?” “Sei.”

Practice Time

Quiz

Short Answers Quiz

10 questions