Mastering ‘Be’ Questions: Present Simple (Pre-A1 English Grammar)

Raúl Maguiña

Fondateur de Langcom | Examinateur pour les examens de Cambridge et du SIELE

juillet 21, 2026

PRÉ-A1✏️ Grammaire⏱️ 4 min read
To ask a question with the verb to be in English, you simply change the word order. Instead of the statement order Subject + Be (like You are happy), you put Be + Subject (like Are you happy?). This simple rule works for all forms of to be: am, is, et are. For example, to ask about someone’s name, you say What is your name?, not What your name is?. This structure is essential for basic communication, letting you ask about identity, location, age, and descriptions. For Yes/No questions, the answer is usually Yes, I am ou No, I’m not. For Wh-questions, you add a question word like What ou Where at the beginning. Mastering this helps you start conversations and understand basic information about people and things around you.

How Do We Form Yes/No Questions with ‘Be’?

Yes/No questions are simple. They ask for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

  • Start with Am, Is, or Are.
  • Then add the subject (who or what).
  • Finish with the rest of the sentence.
  • Exemple : Are you happy?

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What Are Short Answers to ‘Be’ Questions?

When someone asks a Yes/No question with be, we often use short answers.

  • They are positive (e.g., Yes, I am) or negative (e.g., No, I’m not).
  • Remember to use the correct form of be for the subject.
  • Important: Do not use contractions in positive short answers. For example, say Yes, I am, not Yes, I’m.

How Do We Form Wh-Questions with ‘Be’?

Wh-questions ask for specific information, not just ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

  • Start with a question word: What, Where, Who, When, Why, How.
  • Then add am, is, or are.
  • Finally, add the subject and the rest of the sentence.
  • Exemple : Where are you from?
Forming Yes/No Questions with 'Be' and Short Answers
Verb Be Subject Rest of Sentence? Positive Short Answer Negative Short Answer
Am I ready? Yes, you are. No, you aren’t.
Is he/she/it cold? Yes, he/she/it is. No, he/she/it isn’t.
Are you a teacher? Yes, I am. No, I’m not.
Are we/they here? Yes, we/they are. No, we/they aren’t.

Exemples

  • Am I late?
  • Is she a student?
  • Are they friends?
  • What is your name?
  • Where are you from?
  • How old is he?
  • Who is that?

Entraînement

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Erreurs courantes chez les hispanophones

Spanish speakers sometimes put the subject before the verb in questions, like in Spanish. This is incorrect in English.

  • Incorrect : You are happy?
  • Correct : Are you happy?

Another common mistake is forgetting to use the verb to be when asking about age. This is often a direct translation from Spanish.

  • Incorrect : How old you have?
  • Correct : How old are you?

Also, remember not to use contractions in positive short answers.

  • Incorrect : Yes, I’m.
  • Correct : Yes, I am.

Questions fréquemment posées

What is the basic rule for ‘be’ questions?

The basic rule is to put the verb be (am, is, are) before the subject. For example, Is he happy?

Can I use contractions in ‘be’ questions?

Yes, you can use contractions in negative questions, like Isn’t she here? ou Aren’t you ready? However, we usually do not contract am not in questions.

How do I answer a Yes/No question with ‘be’?

Use short answers. For example, if someone asks Are you a student?, you can say Yes, I am ou No, I’m not. Remember, no contractions in positive short answers.

What are some common question words with ‘be’?

Common question words include What (for things), Where (for places), Who (for people), When (for time), and How (for manner or age).

Leçons associées

À propos de l'auteur : Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña est le directeur de l'Asociación Educativa Langcom, un centre agréé de préparation à l'examen Cambridge English situé à ÉTATS-UNIS. Fort de plus d'une décennie d'expérience dans l'enseignement des langues et les certifications internationales, il a aidé des milliers d'étudiants, d'enseignants et d'établissements d'enseignement dans 25 pays à obtenir les certifications d'anglais Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL et Michigan.

En savoir plus sur le Langcom →

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