Yes/No Questions

There are many types of questions in English. The easiest are questions that can be answered "yes" or "no."

A: Are you from around here?

B: Yes, I am.

A: Do you come here often?

B: Yes, I do.

A: Can I buy you a drink?

B: No, thanks.

A: Are you married?

B: Yes, I am.

To form a question from a statement, first count the number of verbs.

If there is one verb in the statement and the verb is a form of be, simply switch the
positions of the subject and verb.

If there are two verbs, simply switch the positions of the subject and first verb.

If there is one verb, and the verb is not a form of be, the process is more complex.

1. Add Do to the beginning of the sentence.

2. If the main verb "carries" a third person singular s, move the s to Do, making it Does.

3. If the main verb "carries" past tense, move the past tense to Do, making it Did.

In conversation, most questions are asked of the second person (you) and answered in the first (I).

A: Are you from California?

B: No, I'm from Oregon. Are you?

A: Yes, I'm from Hollywood.

B: Do you know any movie stars?

A: No, I don't go out at night.

In British English, the main verb have sometimes functions like be in questions. This is not common in American English.