Category: Yes/No Questions

  • How to Ask Questions in the Simple Past Tense – A Practical Guide for ESL Learners

    How to Ask Questions in the Simple Past Tense – A Practical Guide for ESL Learners

    Asking Questions in the Simple Past Tense

    Have you ever asked someone, “What did you do yesterday?” or “Did you watch that movie?”
    These are questions in the simple past! We use them to ask about things that already happened — usually yesterday, last week, or at another time in the past. Before jumping into this lesson, review our guide on asking Yes/No questions in the simple present.

    ⚠️ Remember! We use did to form most questions in the simple past.

    Yes/No Questions in the Simple Past

    Did + subject + base form of the verb + other information?

    ✅ Examples:

    Did I pass the grammar test?

    Did you watch TV last night?

    Did he score a goal yesterday?

    Did she call you yesterday?

    Did it rain last week?

    Did they go to the concert?

    Did we have any homework in class this morning?

    Did Regina take piano lessons when she was a child?

    Did Diego and Frida paint together?

    👉 Notice that after did, the main verb returns to its base form (no -ed!).

    WH- Questions in the Simple Past

    When you want more information (not just yes/no), use a Wh-  word (who, what, where, when, why, or how) before did.

    Wh- Word + did + subject + base form + other information?

    ✅ Examples:

    What did I make on the assignment?

    What did you make for dinner last night?

    Where did he travel last summer?

    Who did she go to the movies with on Saturday?

    Why did it take so long to drive to class?

    When did they arrive?

    When did we start class?

    How did you learn English?

    Who did Karina meet at the mall?

    Why did the dogs bark all night?

    Be Verb Questions in the Past (was / were)

    With questions in the past with a Be verb, you do not use did. Instead, you use was or were.

    Yes/No Questions in the Simple Past

    • We use was with the following subjects:

                        I, He, She, It, and Singular Nouns.

    ✅ Examples:

    Was I your favorite teacher?

    Was he your boyfriend in high school?

    Was she tired after class?

    Was it hot last weekend?

    Was Maria in your grammar class?

    • We use were with the following subjects:

                        You, They, We, and Plural Subjects

    ✅ Examples:

    Were you at school yesterday?

    Were they in Mexico last weekend?

    Were we loud last night?

    Were your keys in your coat?

    Wh- Questions in the Simple Past

    ✅ Examples:

    Where was I last night?

    When was he in your class? 

    Why was she late to class?

    How was it?

    How was the food at Taco Bell?

    Where were you yesterday?

    What were they doing at the park?

    What were we studying in the last class?

    What were Luis and Karina eating for dinner?

    🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

    ❌ Where did she went?
    ✅ Where did she go?

    ❌ Was you happy yesterday?
    ✅ Were you happy yesterday?

    👉 Remember! After did, always use the base form (go, eat, study).
    Never say did went or did ate.

    Let’s Practice!

    Exercise A

    Complete each question with the correct word.
    Use did, was, or were.

    1. ______ you go to the store yesterday?
    2. What ______ you eat for breakfast?
    3. ______ she call you last night?
    4. Where ______ they travel last summer?
    5. ______ you tired after class yesterday?
    6. When ______ he finish his homework?
    7. ______ it cold yesterday morning?
    8. Who ______ you talk to after school?
    9. ______ your friends play soccer last weekend?
    10. Why ______ she cry during the movie?

    Exercise B

    Read each sentence carefully. Find and correct the mistake.

    1. Did you went to school yesterday?
    2. Where did she went on vacation?
    3. Did he studied for the test?
    4. What did you ate for dinner last night?
    5. Was you at the party yesterday?
    6. Did they was late for class?
    7. Where were she yesterday?
    8. Did your brother plays soccer last weekend?
    9. Why did she cryed after the movie?
    10. Did we are in the same class last year?
    Check Your Answers

    Scoring and Feedback

    🔵 17 – 20 Correct

    Excellent work! 🎉You really understand how to make questions in the simple past. Keep using it in your everyday conversations and writing.

    🟢 14 – 16 Correct

    Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of how to make questions in the simple past. Review the ones you missed.

    🟡 12 – 13 Correct

    Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

    🔴 0 – 11 Correct

    No worries! 🌱 Questions in the simple past can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.

    📚 Want more reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice? Check out the Essential English series on Amazon!

    Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress.

    Asking questions in the simple past helps you connect with people and share experiences.
    Practice every day — ask your friends what they did yesterday or where they went last weekend. The more you ask, the more natural your English will sound!

    Leave a comment below!

    And remember . . . Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!

  • English Future Tense with Will: Easy Grammar for ESL Students

    English Future Tense with Will: Easy Grammar for ESL Students

    Do you ever want to talk about tomorrow, next week, or even next year in English? Learning how to talk about the future is very important! The good news is, there are two common ways to talk about the future in English: will and be going to. In this post, we’ll focus on will. To learn more about using the future tense with be going to, check out this guide. English learners use the future tense with Will every day to make predictions, share plans, and even promise to do something. In this post, you’ll learn how to use the future tense with Will step by step—with simple rules, examples, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll be ready to talk about your own future in English with confidence!

    When do we use the future tense with will?

    We use will to talk about:

    1. Simple facts about the future

    I will do my homework tonight.

    2. Predictions about the future.

    It will rain tomorrow.

    3. Promises or offers.

    I will help you with your homework.

    4. Future plans or decisions made at the moment of speaking.

    I’m hungry. I will make a sandwich.

    Affirmative statements in the Future Tense with Will

    Subject + will + base form of the main verb

    She will make dinner tonight.

    They will travel to Spain this summer.

    The students will take a test on Friday.

    The teacher will help you with your homework.

    Ana will celebrate her birthday on Saturday.

    We will go to the park on Sunday afternoon.

    🚫 Common Mistakes with Affirmative Statements

    ❌ He will goes to school tomorrow.
    ✅ He will go to school tomorrow.

    ❌ They will playing soccer next week.
    ✅ They will play soccer next week.

    ⚠️ Remember! After will, always use the base form of the verb (go, play, eat).

    Contractions in the Future Tense with Will

    In English, we often make sentences shorter by contracting (joining) the subject pronoun and will. This makes speaking more natural and faster.

    I will → I’ll call you tomorrow.

    You will → You’ll need to study if you want to pass grammar class.

    He will → He’ll text you later.

    She will → She’ll help us with the project.

    It will → It’ll be cold tomorrow.

    We will → We’ll drive to the concert.

    They will → They’ll come to the party.

    ⚠️ Remember! Contractions are common in speaking and informal writing, but in formal writing (like school essays or exams), it’s better to use the full form: I will, you will, etc.
    💡 Tip! If you need a refresher on subjects, check out our complete guide on subject pronouns.

    Negative statements in the Future Tense with Will

    Subject + will not + base form of the verb

    I will not watch TV tonight.

    He will not go to the party.

    It will not snow tomorrow.

    She will not attend class on Friday.

    That charger will not work on your phone.

     We will not eat dinner at home tonight.

    Contractions in the Future Tense with Will – Negative Statements

    In a negative statement, do not contract the subject pronoun and will. Instead, you can contract will and not to form the contraction won’t.

    I won’t watch TV tonight. I have to study for a test.

    He won’t go to the party. He’s boring.

    It won’t snow tomorrow. It’s too hot.

    She won’t attend class on Friday. She has a doctor’s appointment.

    That charger won’t work on your phone. It’s for iPhones.

    We won’t eat dinner at home tonight. We’re eating out instead.

    🚫 Common Mistakes with Negative Statements

    ❌ I not will eat dinner.
    ✅ I will not (won’t) eat dinner.

    ❌ She willn’t come to the party.
    ✅ She will not come to the party. (or She won’t come to the party.)

    ⚠️ Remember! Use will not or the contraction won’t. Do not write willn’t.

    Yes/No Questions and Short Answers in the Future Tense with Will

    Will + subject + base form of the verb?

    Will she make dinner tonight? Yes, she will. / No, she won’t.

    Will they travel to Spain this summer? Yes, they will. / No, they won’t.

    Will the students take a test on Friday? Yes, they will. / No, they won’t.

    Will the teacher help you with your homework? Yes, he will. / No, he won’t.

    Will Ana celebrate her birthday on Saturday? Yes, she will. / No, she won’t.

    Will the Longhorns play on Saturday? Yes, they will. / No, they won’t. 😞

    ⚠️ Remember! Only negative short answers use contractions.
    🚫 Common Mistakes with Yes/No Questions

    ❌ You will come to class tomorrow?
    ✅ Will you come to class tomorrow?

    ❌ They will play soccer on Saturday?
    ✅ Will they play soccer on Saturday?

    ⚠️ Remember! In questions, will comes before the subject.

    Wh- Questions in the Future Tense with Will

    Wh- word + will + subject + base form of the verb

    What will she make for dinner tonight?

    When will they travel to Spain?

    When will the students take a test?

    What will the teacher help you with?

    What will Ana celebrate on Saturday?

    Who will the Longhorns play on Saturday?

    Why won’t the dog stop barking?

    How will you travel to Bogota?

    🚫 Common Mistakes with Wh- Questions

    ❌ Where you will go on vacation?
    ✅ Where will you go on vacation?

    ❌ What she will eat for lunch?
    ✅ What will she eat for lunch?

    ⚠️ Remember! Start with the Wh- word (What, Where, When, Why, Who, How) → then will → then the subject.

    Let’s Practice!

    Exercise A

    Unscramble the words to form affirmative statements. Use contractions if possible.

    1. play / will / soccer / tomorrow / they
    2. finish / homework / tonight / will / my / I
    3. visit / will / next week / their / grandparents / they
    4. to / will / not / go / afternoon / they / the park / this
    5. their / not / do / homework / will / students / the
    6. to / tonight / the party / will / come / she / ?
    7. help / class / me / will / after / my homework / you / with / ?
    8. play / soccer / will / Saturday / he / on /?
    9. see / we / movie / tonight / will / a / ?
    10. eat / for lunch / what / will / she / ?
    11. go / on vacation / where / will / you / ?
    12. do / tomorrow / will / he / what / ?
    13. help / me / will / when / you / ?
    14. see / who / will / at the park / we / ?
    15. university / which / you / at / study / will / year / next / ?

    Exercise B

    Correct the mistakes in each sentence (There is only 1 mistake per sentence)

    1. He’ll goes to school tomorrow.
    2. They will playing soccer next week.
    3. She’ll eats breakfast at 9:00.
    4. She willn’t come to the party.
    5. They won’t plays soccer.
    6. You’ll come to class tomorrow?
    7. She’ll calls you tonight?
    8. Where you’ll go on vacation?
    9. What she’ll eat for lunch?
    10. When he’ll come to school?
    Check Your Answers

    Scoring & Feedback

    🔵 22 – 25 correct

    Excellent work! 🎉You really understand the future with will. Keep using it in your everyday conversations and writing.

    🟢 19 – 21 correct
    Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of the future with will. Review the ones you missed.

    🟡 15 – 18 correct
    Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

    🔴 0 – 14 correct
    No worries! 🌱 The future with will can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.

    📚 Want more reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice? Check out the Essential English series on Amazon!

    Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Every time you say “I will learn English” you are using the future tense with will to tell the truth about your journey. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. Your English is not standing still—it’s moving forward, step by step.

    Leave a comment below!

    And remember . . . Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!

  • Yes/No Questions and Short Answers for ESL Students: A Quick Guide

    Asking and answering questions is one of the most important skills in English. In this lesson, we will look at Yes/No questions in the simple present tense and how to give short answers.

    What Are Yes/No Questions?

    A Yes/No question is a question that can be answered with ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘.

    ✅ Examples

    • Do you like pizza? Yes, I do.
    • Does she live in San Antonio? No, she doesn’t.
    • Is he your teacher? Yes, he is.

    You do not need to give long answers. A short answer is correct and natural.

    How to Make Yes/No Questions in the Simple Present

    There are two main ways:

    1. With a Be verb (am, is, are)

    For Yes/No questions, the Be verb comes before the subject.

    a. Use ‘am’ with the subject pronoun ‘I’

    b. Use ‘is’ with the subject pronouns ‘He, She, and It’. We also use ‘is’ with plural subjects.

    ✅ Examples

    • Am I late?
    • Is he your teacher?
    • Is she your sister?
    • Is it hot today?
    • Is Lucia at the park?

    c. Use ‘are’ with the subject pronouns ‘You, We, and They‘. We also use ‘are’ with plural subjects.

    ✅ Examples

    • Are you from Mexico?
    • Are we late for class?
    • Are they students?
    • Are Alejandra and Diego in Barcelona?

    2. With Do / Does

    In Yes/No Questions, the verbs ‘do‘ and ‘does‘ are helping (auxiliary) verbs. They do not add meaning. They only help make the sentence correct.

    ‘Do‘ and ‘Does‘ are used with a main verb in Yes/No Questions in the simple present.

    ‘Do’ or ‘Does’ comes before the subject. The base form of the main verb comes after the subject.

    Use ‘Do‘ with the following subject pronouns ‘I, you, we, and they‘. We also use ‘Do’ with plural subjects.

    ✅ Examples

    • Do I have a test today?    
    • Do you want pizza for dinner tonight?     
    • Do we need our computers for class?  
    • Do they drive to class?     
    • Do your dogs like to play in the river?

    Use ‘Does‘ with the following subject pronouns ‘He, She, and It‘. We also use ‘Does’ with singular subjects.

    ✅ Examples

    • Does he speak Chinese fluently?      
    • Does she work at a bank?
    • Does it snow a lot in South Texas?
    • Does Gabriela play the guitar?

    Short Answers

    1. Use Yes or No + a Subject Pronoun + a Be Verb + (not).

    ✅ Examples

    • Am I in your class? → Yes, you are. / No, you aren’t.
    • Is he from Argentina? → Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
    • Is she at the coffee shop? → Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.
    • Is it cold outside right now? → Yes, it is. / No, it isn’t.
    • Is John in your class? → Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
    • Are you ready for class? → Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
    • Are we on the right bus? → Yes, we are. / No, we aren’t.
    • Are they students? → Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
    • Are Gabi and Patricia friends? → Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.

    2. Use Yes or No + a Subject Pronoun + Do / Does + (not).

    a. If the question uses ‘Do‘, the short answer also uses ‘Do‘.

    ✅ Examples

    • Do I have a test today?  →  Yes, you do. / No, you don’t.  
    • Do you play soccer? → Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
    • Do we have a test today? → Yes, we do. / No, you don’t.
    • Do they like Rock music? → Yes, they do. / No, they don’t.
    • Do your cats sleep a lot? → Yes, they do. / No, they don’t.

    b. If the question uses ‘Does‘, the short answer also uses ‘Does‘.

    ✅ Examples

    • Does he work at a bank? → Yes, he does. / No, he doesn’t.
    • Does she live in Madrid? → Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.
    • Does it rain a lot in April? → Yes, it does. / No, it doesn’t.
    • Does Rocio play the piano? → Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.

    👉 Remember! Don’t just say ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘. Use a short answer to sound polite and clear.

    Common Mistakes with Yes/No Questions and Short Answers

    1. Forgetting Do / Does

    ❌ You like pizza?
    ✅ Do you like pizza?

    Students often forget that we need ‘do / does‘ to form the question in the simple present (except with be verbs).

    2. Using the Wrong Verb Form

    ❌ Does she likes coffee?
    ✅ Does she like coffee?

    👉 Remember! After ‘does‘ the verb stays in the base form (no “-s”).

    3. Mixing Up ‘Do‘ and ‘Does‘

    ❌ Do he live here?
    ✅ Does he live here?

    👉 Use ‘do’ with ‘I, you, we, they‘ and plural subjects. Use does with ‘he, she, it‘ and singular subjects.

    4. Incorrect Short Answers

    ❌ Yes, she do.
    ✅ Yes, she does.

    ❌ No, he don’t.
    ✅ No, he doesn’t.

    👉 Always match the helping verb do and does with the subject.

    5. Forgetting the Be verb

    ❌ She your teacher?
    ✅ Is she your teacher?

    👉 With ‘am, is, are‘ you don’t need ‘do / does‘.

    6. Only Saying “Yes” or “No”

    ❌ Teacher: Do you have your homework?
    Student: Yes.
    ✅ Yes, I do.

    👉 Just saying ‘Yes‘ or ‘No‘ can sound rude or unfinished. Always give the short answer.

    Let’s Practice!

    A. Yes/No Questions

    Each Yes/No question has a mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

    1. You like pizza?
    2. Do she speak English?
    3. Are he your brother?
    4. Does they go to school on Saturdays?
    5. She is a doctor?
    6. Do it rains a lot in April?
    7. Is you a student?
    8. They are happy?
    9. Does Maria likes ice cream?
    10. Are it cold today?

    B. Short Answers

    Choose the correct short answer.

    1. Do you like coffee?
      a) Yes, I is.
      b) Yes, I do.
      c) No, I doesn’t.
    2. Does she speak English?
      a) Yes, she does.
      b) Yes, she do.
      c) No, she don’t.
    3. Is he your brother?
      a) Yes, he are.
      b) Yes, he is.
      c) No, he doesn’t.
    4. Are they at school?
      a) No, they aren’t.
      b) No, they doesn’t.
      c) Yes, they do.
    5. Do we have class today?
      a) Yes, we are.
      b) No, we don’t.
      c) Yes, we does.
    Check Your Answers

    Scoring & Feedback

    🔵 13 – 15 Correct

    Excellent work! 🎉 You are ready to use the simple present in Yes/No questions in  your daily life. Keep using them in your everyday conversations and writing.

    🟢 11 – 12 Correct

    Good effort! ✅ You are on the right track. Review the ones you missed and keep practicing.

    🔴 0 – 10 Correct

    No Worries! 🌱 You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

    Want more reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice? Check out the Essential English series on Amazon!

    Conclusion

    Use the simple present every day when you talk about your life. Practice asking Yes/No questions. The more you practice, the easier it becomes! Subscribe for updated content from Beyond English!

    Leave a comment below!

    And remember . . . Practice . . . Practice . . . Practice!!!