Revision on Patterns for Yes/No Questions - JSS2 English language Lesson Note

Revision on Patterns for Yes/No Questions

Yes/no questions are an essential part of communication, allowing speakers to elicit straightforward answers. Some common patterns and structures for forming yes/no questions:

1. Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Main Verb + ?
- This pattern involves starting with the subject, followed by an auxiliary verb (if necessary), the main verb, and ending with a question mark.
- Example: Do you like chocolate?

2. Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + ?
- In this pattern, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject, followed by the main verb, and ending with a question mark.
- Example: Is she coming to the party?

3. Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Not + Main Verb + ?
- This pattern is used for negative yes/no questions, where the auxiliary verb is followed by the subject, "not," the main verb, and a question mark.
- Example: Have they not finished their homework yet?

4. Verb + Subject + ?
- In informal speech or with certain verbs like "be," questions can be formed simply by switching the verb and subject, without an auxiliary verb.
- Example: Going to the party?

5. Question Word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + ?
- When incorporating question words (who, what, where, when, why, how), the pattern includes the question word followed by the auxiliary verb, subject, main verb, and a question mark.
- Example: Why are you crying?

6. Question Word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Not + Main Verb + ?
- For negative questions with question words, the structure is similar to positive questions, but with "not" added after the subject.
- Example: Where have they not been?

7. Tag Questions
- Tag questions are short phrases added to the end of a statement, inviting confirmation or agreement.
- Example: You're coming to the party, aren't you?

8. Intonation
- In informal speech, yes/no questions can sometimes be formed simply by using rising intonation at the end of a statement.
- Example: You're going, right?