Responses - Easy Learning Grammar

Responses are made in answer to a question or a statement by another person in the course of conversation. Like exclamations, they may be full sentences, but can also be phrases or single words.

Yes.
On Tuesday.
I certainly will.

Responses usually do not make sense on their own.Although a response may not have a subject or contain a main verb, it can be classed as a sentence, because a response uses our knowledge of what has just been said. The subject or the verb will usually be understood from the context.

Are you coming to the party tonight? – Yes.
When are you going to London, then? – On Tuesday.
Will you be doing some shopping? – I certainly will.

If the verb is in a simple tense you can use the supporting auxiliary do as the verb in the response.

Do you like courgettes? – Yes, I do.

You usually just use the first part of the verb phrase in a compound verb to make a response. That is, the first auxiliary verb or the modal verb becomes the response form.

Has Tamsin called round yet? – Yes, she has.
Was Andrea crying? – Yes, she was.
Can we leave early? – Yes, you can.
Should I be doing this differently? – Yes, you should.

Some speakers prefer to use the modal and the auxiliary form together.

Laurence could be running if it wasn’t for his injury.
– Yes, he could be.

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