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

Raúl Maguiña

Fundador de Langcom | Examinador de Cambridge y del SIELE

julio 21, 2026

PRE-A1✏️ Gramática⏱️ 4 minutos de lectura
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, y 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 o No, I’m not. For Wh-questions, you add a question word like What o 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, o Are.
  • Then add the subject (who or what).
  • Finish with the rest of the sentence.
  • Ejemplo: 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, o are.
  • Finally, add the subject and the rest of the sentence.
  • Ejemplo: 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.

Ejemplos

  • 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?

Práctica

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Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes

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

  • Incorrecto: You are happy?
  • Correcto: 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.

  • Incorrecto: How old you have?
  • Correcto: How old are you?

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

  • Incorrecto: Yes, I’m.
  • Correcto: Yes, I am.

Preguntas más frecuentes

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? o 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 o 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).

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Sobre el autor: Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña es el director de la Asociación Educativa Langcom, un centro autorizado de preparación para el examen Cambridge English en EE.UU.. Con más de una década de experiencia en la enseñanza de idiomas y la certificación internacional, ha ayudado a miles de estudiantes, profesores e instituciones educativas de 25 países a conseguir las certificaciones de inglés de Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL y Michigan.

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