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Lesson 10 of 240

New here? This is lesson 10 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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Is it or isn't it in English

Ana is back at the Blue Plate. Dee asks if she slept well, and Ana talks about hours, not a short yes.

Murray checks the coffee. He wants to know if it's hot.

By the end, you'll check a fact and ask for a clear yes or no.

Right? is a short check. Don't you? checks whether someone does something.

By the end of this lesson

Check a fact and ask for a clear yes or no.

  • Right?you add this to check
  • Isn't it?you check a fact this way
  • Don't you?you check something they do
  • Is that a yes?you want them to say yes or no clearly
  • Yes or no?you ask them to choose
  • Is that right?you check if you understood

Scene — the coffee is hot

It's morning on Larch Street in Logan Square, Chicago. Ana sits at the Blue Plate counter. Dee holds the coffee pot.

Murray sits on two stools with eggs and a cup he hasn't finished. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.

Ana sits at the counter as Dee holds the coffee pot and Murray sits with eggs and an unfinished cup.

Learn — check yes or no

Six short lines help you check a fact and ask for a clear yes or no.

Right? is a short check. Don't you? checks whether someone does something.

  1. Ana turns toward Dee and gestures as she explains how long she slept.

    Right?

    you add this to check

    When to use it: Add this after a line to check.

    Learn it as one piece at the end.

  2. Dee pauses with the coffee pot as she waits for Ana's clear answer about her sleep.

    Isn't it?

    you check a fact this way

    When to use it: Add this after words like "It's hot" to check.

    Learn it as one piece to check a fact.

  3. Murray taps his cup while checking whether the steaming coffee is cold.

    Don't you?

    you check something they do

    When to use it: Add this after words like "You drink coffee" to check.

    Learn it as one piece to check what someone does.

    Say it: Don't and you can link.

  4. Dee waits for Ana to confirm whether coffee is one of her drinks.

    Is that a yes?

    you want them to say yes or no clearly

    When to use it: Ask this when a yes isn't clear.

    Learn it as one piece to get a clear answer.

  5. Ana points to the cup that belongs to her as Murray checks which one is hers.

    Yes or no?

    you ask them to choose

    When to use it: Ask this when you need someone to pick one.

    This can sound strong, so use a friendly voice.

    Say it: Yes and no take the stress.

  6. Ana indicates her cup while Dee checks that she understood.

    Is that right?

    you check if you understood

    When to use it: Ask this to check if you understood.

    Learn it as one piece after someone tells you something.

Story — is that a yes

Watch Ana at the counter. Dee wants a short answer, not a long sleep story.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The lamps are on, and Dee looks at Ana.
  2. DeeGood morning. Did you sleep well, hon?She greets Ana before noon and asks about her sleep.
  3. AnaI slept four hours.She says how long she was asleep.
  4. DeeIs that a yes? Yes or no?She wants Ana to give a clear answer.
  5. AnaNo, not really.She didn't sleep well.
  6. Murray taps his cup as steam rises from it.
  7. MurrayWell, it's hot, isn't it?He checks that the coffee isn't cold.
  8. AnaIs that right?you check if you understood
  9. MurrayIt is.He says the coffee is hot.
  10. DeeYou drink coffee, don't you?She checks whether coffee is one of Ana's drinks.
  11. AnaYes.She says she drinks coffee.
  12. MurrayThis cup is yours. Right?He checks which cup belongs to Ana.
  13. AnaYes, it is.She says the cup belongs to her.

Practice — pick the check

Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, and fill a gap.

Use the meaning to choose your words, then check why the other choices don't fit.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    Right?Drop the Simple English here
    Isn't it?Drop the Simple English here
    Don't you?Drop the Simple English here
    Yes or no?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You're talking about the coffee. You say, "It's hot." Add a check with it.

  4. What does it mean?

    Don't you?

  5. Fill the gap

    you want them to say yes or no clearly

    ____ that a yes?

  6. Fill the gap

    you ask them to choose

    Yes ____ no?

  7. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    How are you?

    you ask this when you greet someone

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    You think you understood Dee. Check that.

    Is that ____?

  9. What do you say?

    You already said hello. Now ask how Dee is.

  10. True or false?

    This line is a hello after noon.

Say it — say the check

Now you're Ana at the diner. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. DeeIt's still morning.She says it isn't noon yet.
  2. Ana (you)Use the one-word check to ask her to confirm.

    Right?

    you add this to check

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Right?you add this to check
Isn't it?you check a fact this way
Don't you?you check something they do
Is that a yes?you want them to say yes or no clearly
Yes or no?you ask them to choose
Is that right?you check if you understood
Next: lesson 11Say what? I don't understand

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A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your checks ready for the counter.

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