"The words yes and no"

[Odessa Dawn]

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"The words yes and no are not easily classified into any of the eight conventional parts of speech. Although sometimes classified as interjections, they do not qualify as such, and they are not adverbs. They are sometimes classified as a part of speech in their own right, sentence words, word sentences, or pro-sentences, although that category contains more than yes and no and not all linguists include them in their lists of sentence words."
More: punctuation - Comma or semicolon after "No" when responding to a question - English Language and Usage

Will you shed [STRIKE]the [/STRIKE]some light on the underlined part, please? I couldn’t figure it out.

 

[SoothingDave]

They are sometimes considered to be a part of speech called "sentence words" or "word sentences" or "pro-sentences."

 

[Rover_KE]

Additionally, they can be called 'sentence substitutes' (COED).

YOU: 'Are you happy?'

ME: 'Yes.' (That's a substitute for 'I am happy'.)

They can also be nouns:

YOU: 'Are you sure you're happy?'

ME: 'That's a definite yes.'

Rover



Rover

 

[Odessa Dawn]

Grateful! What does (COED) stand for, please? The Free Dictionary has been consulted and replied. Please excuse my ignorance.
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[emsr2d2]

I'm a bit stumped on that one too. I assume OED is Oxford English Dictionary, but the C has thrown me.

 

[Rover_KE]

'Concise Oxford English Dictionary'.

 

[emsr2d2]

'Concise Oxford English Dictionary'.

Of course! I only ever use the big one but I should still have worked that out!