Yes/no

Question

Hi.I think when we like to oppose to the negative statement, we normally use Yes. But sometimes people say No! for the same purpose especially when they are excited or angry.eg. A:You robbed the bank.      B:No. That wasn't me. I was ....      A:No! That was you!I want to know that to answer a negative question in the casual coversations, can Yes be used in this way?:eg. A: I met my ex-girlfriend in the reunion.      B:She's not as pretty as she was?      A:Yes yes. She looked awful. Thank you very much in advance.

JohnParis · Accepted Answer

kook jI want to know that to answer a negative question in the casual coversations, can Yes be used in this way?:

eg. A: I met my ex-girlfriend in the reunion.
B:She's not as pretty as she was?
A:Yes yes. She looked awful.

In a casual conversation I suppose that you could say this, but no native speaker I know would respond in such a manner.

The dialogue is very awkward, and two guys talking about an ex-girlfriend just wouldn't speak like that. A native speaker would say (something like):

A. I saw (not met because they obviously met before) my ex at the reunion.

B. Oh yeah? Is she still as pretty as she was?

C. No, she looked awful.

Saying "yes yes" to that sort of question is stilted.

Avangi · Answer

kook j A: I met my ex-girlfriend in the reunion.
B:She's not as pretty as she was?
A:Yes yes. She looked awful.

In your second dialogue, is (B) a statement or a question?

If it's a statement, then (A) may reply, "Yes, she's not." ("I agree with what you said.")

If it's a question, then a native speaker would reply, "No, she's not."

As an aside, ". . . . at the reunion" is more natural.

Edit. As JP points out, this sort of remark occurs only in casual conversation.

The inflection of B's line would make all the difference.

(I think "I met" could have the meaning of "I ran/'bumped' into," but it's unlikely.)

My old girlfriend and I met by chance at the reunion.

(Sorry, John, I know you dislike my "post-edits!)

- A.

kook jI want to know that to answer a negative question in the casual coversations, can Yes be used in this way?

You've misused "that" here.

I want to know if "Yes" may be used in this way.

I want to know that "Yes" may be used in this way. (Don't tell me that it may not!)

It's even a different sense of "know."

I want to know that you're going to be safe. (I want to be assured)

JohnParis · Answer

A -

I don't dislike your post-edits !

I read every one and find them very helpful.[Y]

John

Kook j · Answer

Thank you John and Avangi.

Avangi
kook j A: I met my ex-girlfriend in the reunion. B:She's not as pretty as she was?
If it's a statement, then (A) may reply, "Yes, she's not." ("I agree with what you said.")

This is why I asked this question.

I think I would answer No, she's not. if I want to agree with the statement. But I've heared more than a few times Yes instead when a person is obviously agreeing with a negative statement. Is saying Yes a casual way of agreeing with a negative statement?

And there is one more thing I want to clarify.

My OED shows this example below:

A:Sorry I'm late - the bus didn't come.

B:Oh yes?

I think I'd say "Oh no?" if I'm in the disbelief because of the did not. What is this yes? said for here? Does it mean Are you really sorry for being late? ?

Thank you very much in advance.

JohnParis · Answer

kook j
And there is one more thing I want to clarify.
My OED shows this example below:

A:Sorry I'm late - the bus didn't come.
B:Oh yes?

I think I'd say "Oh no?" if I'm in the disbelief because of the did not. What is this yes? said for here? Does it mean Are you really sorry for being late? ?
Thank you very much in advance.

Kookj

English can be maddening at times (and this is one). "Oh, no?" would be a perfectly good response. If someone said to me, "Sorry I'm late - the bus didn't come" I would say, "Oh, it didn't? No problem." I certainly would not say "Oh, yes?" unless I suspected that it may not be a truthful answer. But the maddening part is that my "Oh Yes" is subject to interpretation and can, therefore, be considered correct as well. Then there is "Oh really" and "Oh my", and a host of others. Thats why I think so many people often reply to such statements without using words - they just make a sound like "Uh, Huh" or "ah hum".

Like I said - maddening for learners.

John

Avangi · Answer

kook jA:Sorry I'm late - the bus didn't come.
B:Oh yes?

"Oh, no!" would show sympathy for your misfortune. (Sometimes mock sympathy)

Depending on the inflection, "Oh, yes" (casually, "Oh yeah[?]") could show skepticism, or disbelief.

(You're lying through your teeth!)

But as JP suggests, "Oh, yes?" could show polite faux intrest.

Yes/no

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