English - Yes and No Answers

Lesson 22 of 139

A learner practicing simple English yes and no responses on a phone, with speech bubbles showing short answers.

Goal: Tiny answers that do big work in everyday English.

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Today’s lesson is short, useful, and very yes-or-no friendly. These little answers help you sound clear without saying a whole long sentence.

Level A1: you’ll practice quick answers like “Yes, I can,” “No, it isn’t,” and “Yes, there is.” These phrases help you answer questions about ability, facts, places, and things around you. Small words, big confidence—Yak Yacker says: yes, you can!

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Answer simple questions with “can” using “Yes, I can” and “No, I can’t.”
  • Answer simple “is it” questions with “Yes, it is” and “No, it isn’t.”
  • Answer “Is there...?” questions with “Yes, there is” and “No, there isn’t.”
  • Use “Yeah” for a casual yes in friendly conversation.
Two people outside a small café using English questions and short yes-no answers about places and help.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Yes, I can.

Answer yes to a question about ability or possibility.

Meaning: Answer yes to a question about ability or possibility.

When to use: Use this after a question with “can.” Examples: “Can you help me?” “Yes, I can.” / “Can you come today?” “Yes, I can.”

Tip: Use “can” in the answer because the question uses “can.”

Can you help me? Yes, I can.
The answer says you are able to help.
Can you come at 6? Yes, I can.
The answer says coming at 6 is possible.

No, I can't.

Answer no to a question about ability or possibility.

Meaning: Answer no to a question about ability or possibility.

When to use: Use this after a question with “can” when the answer is no. Examples: “Can you drive?” “No, I can’t.” / “Can you wait?” “No, I can’t.”

Tip: Don’t say “No, I can” for a negative answer. Use “can’t.”

Can you drive? No, I can't.
The answer says you are not able to drive.
Can you wait ten minutes? No, I can't.
The answer says waiting is not possible.

Yes, it is.

Answer yes to a question about a thing, place, fact, or situation.

Meaning: Answer yes to a question about a thing, place, fact, or situation.

When to use: Use this after a question like “Is it...?” Examples: “Is it open?” “Yes, it is.” / “Is it near?” “Yes, it is.”

Tip: Use “it is” for “Is it...?” questions, not “I can.”

Is it open now? Yes, it is.
The answer says the place is open.
Is it near the station? Yes, it is.
The answer says the place is near the station.

No, it isn't.

Answer no to a question about a thing, place, fact, or situation.

Meaning: Answer no to a question about a thing, place, fact, or situation.

When to use: Use this after a question like “Is it...?” when the answer is no. Examples: “Is it expensive?” “No, it isn’t.” / “Is it closed?” “No, it isn’t.”

Is it expensive? No, it isn't.
The answer says it is not expensive.
Is it closed today? No, it isn't.
The answer says it is not closed today.

Yes, there is.

give a short affirmative answer to an existence question

Meaning: Give a short yes answer to an “Is there...?” question.

When to use: Use this when someone asks if something exists or is available. Examples: “Is there a bathroom?” “Yes, there is.” / “Is there a bus stop?” “Yes, there is.”

Tip: Use “there is” for “Is there...?” questions.

Is there a bathroom here? Yes, there is.
The answer says a bathroom exists here.
Is there a bus stop near here? Yes, there is.
The answer says a bus stop exists near here.

No, there isn't.

give a short negative answer to an existence question

Meaning: Give a short no answer to an “Is there...?” question.

When to use: Use this when something does not exist or is not available. Examples: “Is there a lift?” “No, there isn’t.” / “Is there a ticket office?” “No, there isn’t.”

Is there a lift in this building? No, there isn't.
The answer says there is no lift.
Is there a ticket office here? No, there isn't.
The answer says there is no ticket office here.

Yeah

Give a simple affirmative response when agreeing or accepting.

Meaning: Give a simple casual yes when agreeing or accepting.

When to use: Use this in friendly, informal speech. Examples: “Do you want coffee?” “Yeah.” / “Ready?” “Yeah.”

Do you want coffee? Yeah.
The answer is a casual yes.
Are you ready? Yeah.
The answer is a friendly yes.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna is looking for a café, and David helps her.

Anna and David having a friendly English conversation about finding a café and answering with phrases like yes, it is and yes, there is.

What place is Anna looking for?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Is there a café near here?

Anna asks if a café exists nearby.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yes, there is. It’s on this street.

David says there is a café nearby.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Great. Is it open now?

Anna asks if the café is open now.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yes, it is.

David says the café is open.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Can you show me the way?

Anna asks if David can show her where to go.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yeah. Yes, I can.

David casually agrees and says he can help.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Choose the best answer: “Can you help me?”

Choose the best answer: “Is it open now?”

Choose the best answer: “Is there a bathroom here?”

Choose the best casual answer: “Ready?”

Anna: Can you come at 6? David: Yes, I can. I am free then.

Anna: Can you come at 6? David: ___ I am free then.

Anna: Is it cold outside? David: No, it isn't. I only need a light jacket.

Anna: Is it cold outside? David: ___ I only need a light jacket.

Anna: Is there a bus stop near here? David: Yes, there is. It is next to the bank.

Anna: Is there a bus stop near here? David: ___ It is next to the bank.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Yes, I can.

Answer yes to a question about ability or possibility.

Say this phrase out loud:

No, I can't.

Answer no to a question about ability or possibility.

Say this phrase out loud:

Yes, it is.

Answer yes to a question about a thing, place, fact, or situation.

Say this phrase out loud:

No, it isn't.

Answer no to a question about a thing, place, fact, or situation.

Say this phrase out loud:

Yes, there is.

Give a short yes answer to an “Is there...?” question.

Say this phrase out loud:

No, there isn't.

Give a short no answer to an “Is there...?” question.

Say this phrase out loud:

Yeah

Give a simple casual yes when agreeing or accepting.