thincat
Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2012
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- Hong Kong
- Current Location
- Hong Kong
Hi,
I am very confused by yes-no responses in English. In my native language, "yes" or "no" are always used to show agreement and disagreement to the questioner.
However, grammar books tell me that in responding question-tags and negative questions, “yes” is used with affirmative sentences while “no” is for negative sentences. For example:
Q: The earth is bigger than the moon, isn't it?
A: Yes, (it is.)
Q: Aren’t you going out?
A: No, (I’m not)
In English, besides question-tags and negative questions, does the usage “yes” and “no” always depend on the subsequent affirmative and negative sentences instead of the agreement or disagreement to the questioner?
Below are 3 examples that I find confusing, could you help me with them?
Q1: Is the seat taken/occupied?
(If it is not taken, are the following responses correct?)
a) No, it's not.
b) No.
c) No. You may sit here.
d) No, you may sit here.
e) Yes, you may sit here.
f) Yes.
Q2. I think you don't like tennis...
(If I like tennis…)
a) Yes, I do.
b) Yes.
c) Yes, I like tennis.
d) No. I like tennis.
e) No, I like tennis.
f) No.
g) No, it’s not true.
Q3. Are you going out?
(If I am not…)
a) No.
b) No, I am not.
c) No. I want to stay home.
d) No, I want to stay home.
e) Yes, I want to stay home.
Thank you very much!
I am very confused by yes-no responses in English. In my native language, "yes" or "no" are always used to show agreement and disagreement to the questioner.
However, grammar books tell me that in responding question-tags and negative questions, “yes” is used with affirmative sentences while “no” is for negative sentences. For example:
Q: The earth is bigger than the moon, isn't it?
A: Yes, (it is.)
Q: Aren’t you going out?
A: No, (I’m not)
In English, besides question-tags and negative questions, does the usage “yes” and “no” always depend on the subsequent affirmative and negative sentences instead of the agreement or disagreement to the questioner?
Below are 3 examples that I find confusing, could you help me with them?
Q1: Is the seat taken/occupied?
(If it is not taken, are the following responses correct?)
a) No, it's not.
b) No.
c) No. You may sit here.
d) No, you may sit here.
e) Yes, you may sit here.
f) Yes.
Q2. I think you don't like tennis...
(If I like tennis…)
a) Yes, I do.
b) Yes.
c) Yes, I like tennis.
d) No. I like tennis.
e) No, I like tennis.
f) No.
g) No, it’s not true.
Q3. Are you going out?
(If I am not…)
a) No.
b) No, I am not.
c) No. I want to stay home.
d) No, I want to stay home.
e) Yes, I want to stay home.
Thank you very much!
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