To ask a Yes/No question with to be, invert the verb and the subject, as in am I late or is she a teacher. Short answers repeat the subject and the verb, as in yes, she is or no, they aren’t.
Grammar Rule
To ask Yes/No questions with to be, we invert the order: the verb goes before the subject.
To Be Yes/No Questions: Structure
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Am | Am I late? Yes, you are. |
| He / She / It | Is | Is she a teacher? Yes, she is. Is it cold? Yes, it is. |
| You / We / They | Are | Are you ready? No, I’m not. Are they students? No, they aren’t. |
Remember: the form depends on the subject of the question.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below forming the correct Yes/No question with to be. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Verb to be – Yes/No Questions and Short Answers
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form a Yes/No question with to be?
Invert the verb and the subject, as in is she a teacher or are you ready.
What is a short answer to a Yes/No question with to be?
A short answer repeats the subject and the verb, as in yes, she is or no, they aren’t.
Does the verb form depend on the subject in these questions?
Yes. The form, am, is, or are, still depends on the subject, exactly as in statements.
Can you answer with just yes or no?
A full short answer is more natural, repeating the subject and the verb, as in yes, I am, not just yes.