Foundation grammar · Unit 40 · A2

I am, I don't etc.

Auxiliary verbs

To avoid repeating a whole sentence, keep only the auxiliary verb: she isn't hungry but he is; he likes jazz but she doesn't. This unit covers those short forms and short answers with yes and no.

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A Saying it once: he is, she doesn't

Kirsty says, "I'm not hungry." Ryan says, "I am." Kirsty isn't hungry but Ryan is. (he is = he is hungry)

Amir asks, "Do you like jazz?" Sophie says, "No, I don't." Amir says, "Yes, I do." Amir likes jazz but Sophie doesn't. (she doesn't = she doesn't like jazz)

The words hungry and like jazz are not repeated. The listener already has them, and hearing them twice would add nothing.

These verbs work in the same way: am/is/are, was/were, have/has, do/does/did, can, will, might, must.

At the end of a sentence, use the full positive form, not the short form: She isn't hungry but he is. (not ... but he's)

Negative short forms are fine: isn't, haven't, won't and so on.

  • I haven't got a dog but my brother has. (= my brother has got a dog)
  • "Can you lend me a tenner?" "Sorry, I can't." (= I can't lend you a tenner)
  • "Are you busy?" "I was, but I'm not now." (= I was busy but I'm not busy now)
  • "Will Joe come to the match?" "He might." (= he might come)
  • "Are you leaving already?" "Yes, I'm afraid I must." (= I must leave)
  • My sister has got a car but I haven't.
  • "Are you and Gemma working on Saturday?" "I am but Gemma isn't."

B Short answers with Yes and No

Use I am / I'm not and the same pattern after Yes and No. The auxiliary in the answer matches the one in the question.

  • "Are you cold?" "Yes, I am." / "No, I'm not."
  • "Will Nadia be at the meeting?" "Yes, she will." / "No, she won't."
  • "Is there a cashpoint at the station?" "Yes, there is." / "No, there isn't."

C do / does / did

Use do / does for the present simple, and did for the past simple. The main verb is not repeated.

  • I don't like spicy food but Jamal does. (= Jamal likes spicy food)
  • Jamal cooks every night but I don't. (= I don't cook every night)
  • "Do you enjoy your job?" "Yes, I do."
  • "Did you and Leah like the concert?" "I did but Leah didn't." (= I liked it but Leah didn't like it)
  • "I loved the ending." "I did too." (= I loved it too)
  • "Did it snow last night?" "No, it didn't."

Exercises

40.1 Complete the sentences. Use only one verb (is / have / can etc.) each time.

  1. Jo wasn't tired but we were.

    Jo wasn't tired but we were.

  2. I'm not a vegetarian but my sister .

  3. Dan can't drive but I .

  4. I haven't read the book but Priya .

  5. Mum won't be at the match but Dad .

  6. You weren't wet but I .

40.2 Complete the sentences with a negative verb (isn't / haven't / can't etc.).

  1. My brother can swim but I can't.

    My brother can swim but I can't.

  2. Megan is at work today but I .

  3. I was at home but my parents .

  4. Ellie has got a dog but I .

  5. I'm ready for the exam but Josh .

  6. I've got a ticket but Ruth .

40.3 Complete the sentences with do / does / did or don't / doesn't / didn't.

  1. I don't like spicy food but Jamal does.

    I don't like spicy food but Jamal does.

  2. Jamal likes spicy food but I don't.

    Jamal likes spicy food but I don't.

  3. My dad drinks coffee but my mum .

  4. You don't know Leeds very well but I .

  5. I didn't enjoy the film but my friends .

  6. I don't read the paper much but my grandad .

  7. Carys works in Cardiff but her husband .

  8. You had breakfast this morning but I .

40.4 Complete the sentences. Write about yourself and other people, as in the example.

  1. I didn't ...

    Example answer: I didn't watch the match on Saturday but my brother did.

  2. I like ... but ...

  3. I don't ... but ...

  4. I'm ...

  5. I haven't ...

40.5 Put in a verb, positive or negative.

  1. "Are you hungry?" "I was earlier but I'm not now."

    "Are you hungry?" "I was earlier but I'm not now."

  2. Ruby is cheerful today but she yesterday.

  3. The bank isn't open yet but the cafés .

  4. I haven't got a ladder but I know somebody who .

  5. I'd love to come to the party but I'm afraid I .

  6. I don't usually take the bus to work but I yesterday.

  7. A: Have you ever been to Ireland? B: No, but my sister . She went to Dublin last summer.

  8. "Do you and Ben play chess?" "I but Ben doesn't."

  9. I've been invited to the wedding but my brother .

  10. "Do you think Ollie will get the job?" "Yes, I'm sure he ."

  11. "Are you going to the gym tonight?" "I . I'm not sure yet."

40.6 Answer these questions about yourself. Use Yes, I have. / No, I'm not. and so on.

  1. Are you Scottish?

    Example answer: No, I'm not.

  2. Have you got a bike?

  3. Do you live in a flat?

  4. Is it raining?

  5. Are you tired?

  6. Do you like jazz?

  7. Will you be at home this evening?

  8. Have you ever been to Wales?

  9. Did you cook anything yesterday?

  10. Were you awake at midnight?

See also