00 / Clauses & Questions
Closed questions (Yes/No)
Closed questions are used to ask for a simple 'yes' or 'no' response. They are formed by placing the auxiliary or modal verb before the subject.
A1Beginner
01 / Overview
Closed questions, also known as yes/no questions, do not use question words like who or where. Instead, they begin with a verb and require a confirmation or denial of a statement.
02 / Form
Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb / Complement
To form these questions, move the auxiliary verb (be, do, have) or modal verb (can) to the beginning of the sentence, before the subject.
03 / Statements vs. Questions
Note that for the present simple of verbs other than be, the auxiliary do or does must be added.
| Statement | Question |
|---|---|
| You are a student. | Are you a student? |
| They like coffee. | Do they like coffee? |
| She has a car. | Does she have a car? |
04 / Examples
05 / Common mistakes
You are hungry?
Are you hungry?
In English, the verb must move before the subject to form a standard question.
Likes he pizza?
Does he like pizza?
Main verbs (except 'be') cannot move to the front; you must use the auxiliary 'do' or 'does'.
06 / Practice
Turn this statement into a question: 'She is a doctor.'
Show answer
Answer: Is she a doctor?
Why: The verb 'is' moves to the front of the sentence before the subject 'she'.
Turn this statement into a question: 'They play football.'
Show answer
Answer: Do they play football?
Why: For the present simple of 'play', the auxiliary 'do' is required at the start.
Turn this statement into a question: 'He can speak English.'
Show answer
Answer: Can he speak English?
Why: The modal verb 'can' moves to the front of the sentence.