Yes/no questions

A Use

A yes/no question is one that we can answer with yes or no.

Are you ready? ~ Yes, nearly/No, not quite.

Has anyone seen my bag? ~ Yes, it's on the chair./No, I don't

think so.

These questions are asking for information. For example, Daniel wants to know if Vicky is ready or not.

Sometimes yes/no questions have other uses, especially questions with modal verbs. For example, when Matthew says Shall we go then? he is making a suggestion, not asking for information. Here are some examples of the different uses.

Making a suggestion: Shall we eat out tonight?

Can/Could you write the address

down for me, please?

Can I carry something for you? ~ No,

it's OK, thanks.

Would you like to come to a party?-

Yes, I'd love to.

May I use your phone? ~ Yes, of course

B Form

A yes/no question begins with an auxiliary verb. An auxiliary verb is a form of be or have or a modal verb e.g. can. The auxiliary verb comes before the subject.

AUXILIARY SUBJECT

Is it raining?

Has David got a car?

Can Emma drive?

statement: It is raining.

question: Is it raining?

The main verb be also comes before the subject in a question.

Is it cold out there? Are you ready? Was it easy? If there is more than one auxiliary verb, only the first one comes before the subject.

Have you been working? Could we have done better?

In the present simple and past simple we use a form of do.

AUXILIARY SUBJECT

statement: They (do) run every day. question: Do they run every day?

A question cannot begin with an ordinary verb such as run, play or like.

not Plays-Mark-golf? and NOT Liked your the-concert? The verb after the subject does not end in s or ed.

not Does-Mark plays-golf? and NOT Did you-liked-the-concert?

35 Answers with yes and no

34 Exercises

1 Use (A)

Write down the use of each question. Choose from these uses:

asking for information (x3), asking permission, inviting, making a suggestion, offering, requesting (x2)

? Could you post this letter for me? requesting

? Can we get a number 35 bus from this stop? asking for information

1 Can I help you with those bags?

2 Shall we stop for a rest?

3 Is it Tuesday today?

4 Could you wait a moment, please?

5 Would you like to have tea with us?

6 Will your friend be here next weekend?

7 May I sit down?

2 Form(B)

Claude Jennings, the World Quiz Champion, is going to be on Guy's chat show.

Guy is wondering what to ask Claude. Read what Guy is thinking and write down his questions.

► (I expect Claude has won lots of prizes.) Have you won lots of prizes ?

1 (1 wonder if he's a rich man.)....................................................................................................................

2 (Perhaps quizzes are his only hobby.) ............................... ……………………………………………...

3 (I expect he worked hard at school.)........... ……………………………………………………………..

4 (I wonder if he's got any other interests.) ..................... …………………………………………………

5 (1 wonder if it's an interesting life.) ....................................................................... ………………….

6 (Perhaps his wife asks him quiz questions.) ................................................................ …………………

7 (And maybe he answers questions in his dreams.)…………………………………………………...

3 Yes/no questions (A-B)

What would you say in these situations?

► You want to know if Mark has been to Los Angeles. Ask Sarah.
Has Mark been to Los Angeles ?

1 You aren't sure if Rachel and Vicky are going to America. Ask them.

2 You want to know if Laura plays tennis. Ask Trevor.

3 You are wondering if Claire enjoyed her holiday. Ask her.

4 You want to suggest to Rachel that you both go for a walk.

5 You need to know if David will be at the club tonight. Ask him.

6 You want to know if the train is on time. Ask Mark.

7 You are wondering if Mike and Harriet go camping. Ask David.

8 You want to ask Matthew if you can borrow his squash racket.

9 You want to know if Nick has got a motor bike. Ask him.

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1991