Present Continuous: Short Answers Exercises

In English, answering a yes/no question with just "yes" or "no" can sound too short. Short answers are the polite, natural way to respond. For present continuous questions, the pattern is: Yes, + subject + am/is/are or No, + subject + am not / isn't / aren't. "Are you studying?" — "Yes, I am." "Is she sleeping?" — "No, she isn't." Short answers repeat the form of "be" from the question but drop the -ing verb — you never say "Yes, I am studying" as a short answer.

There is one important rule that catches many learners: you cannot use short forms in positive short answers. "Yes, I'm" and "Yes, she's" are wrong — you must say "Yes, I am" and "Yes, she is." However, short forms are perfectly fine in negative short answers: "No, I'm not," "No, she isn't," "No, they aren't." This rule applies to all tenses that use "be," not just the present continuous. Short answers are tested frequently in Cambridge A2 and B1 examinations, so learning this pattern is well worth the effort.