How do I write a yes or no question?

Question

How do you write a question that requires ONLY a "yes" or "no" reply? Thank you.

MountainHiker · Accepted Answer

Guest,

I hope you register and become part of the recognized people here.

Are you married? "No." (that's all you need say)

Are you married? "No, I am not married."

Or if you receive this "unwanted question" at a bar or lounge,

"Yes, I have been happily married for 15 years and remain so."

You can respond with a one word answer. You can respond by giving the one word answer and repeating the question. And you can respond by giving the one word answer and providing additional detail.

Hope that helps.

MountainHiker

Haoqide · Answer

I could be wrong, but for some reason the only kinds of questions I can think of right now that require 1 word answers begin with forms of the verbs "to do" or "to be".

For example:

"Do you like to eat fish?" -- yes/no

"Does he drink wine?" -- yes/no

"Are you in pain?" -- yes/no

"Is that a dog?" -- yes/no

"Am I fat?" -- yes/no (unless it's a woman asking, in which case you would never, ever answer "yes"...you'd tiptoe around the issue)

Hope that helps.

MountainHiker · Answer

Haoqide,

Great answer! I misread the question focused on how to answer a yes or no question as opposed to how to write a yes or no question.

When I think of "yes/no" questions, I think of lawyers and cross-examinations. They often like to steer the conversation towards a predestined conclusion.

Is the following statement true "blah blah blah"? yes/no

Were you aware of the following, "blah blah blah"? yes/no

Do the following facts fit with your recollection? yes/no

Is that your handwriting? yes/no

Is that person over there your relative? yes/no

MountainHiker

Guest · Answer

This type of question is called a 'closed' question whereas a question that encourages a fuller reply is called an 'open' question. Closed questions are not restricted to just 'yes/no answers however.

If you want to have a conversation with someone it is better to ask open questions to lead into a natural two-way exchange, so for example:

Not 'do you like movies?' which will only get you a yes or no reply, but 'What sort of movies do you like?' or 'What was the last movie you really enjoyed?' which will require a fuller answer.

However, closed questions also have their uses as people find it difficult to expand on their answers and you can 'push' them into saying what you want them to say. Lawyers are one example already given, but it is also a very common sales technique. For example, to finalise a sale to a doubtful buyer you might say 'So, will you want red or blue?' A lot of people will then find it hard to say 'Well, actually I don't want one at all' as the closed question is pushing them towards answering either 'red' or 'blue'.

another sales trick is to get people saying a lot of 'yes' answers to queries and then hit them with the 'closeing the sale' question as it is difficult to then say no. for example,

'Would you agree that it is important to provide good facilities for children in hospital?'...yes
'And you know that the government funding only provides the basics?'...yes
'And you know that children with cancer often have to stay in hospital for treatment?'...yes
'So you'd agree that extra toys and so on would be a good idea for them to help them through their stay?'...yes
'So I can put you down for an advertisment in the magazine that is being produced to raise funds for a local childrens cancer ward then?'....

How do I write a yes or no question?

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