INDEX:
1. when someone asks you a question
2. when someone asks you for permission to do something
3. when someone asks or tells you to do something
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ NO
see also
↑ AGREE
↑ ACCEPT
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1. when someone asks you a question
▷ yes /jes/ spoken :
▪ ‘Have you lived here long?’ ‘Yes, about 10 years.’
▪ ‘Did you watch ‘Trial and Retribution’ last night?’ ‘Yes, wasn’t it good?’
▪ If you’re asking me whether I think we should do it, the answer is yes.
yes, please
say this to politely accept something that someone offers you
▪ ‘Would you like some wine?’ ‘Yes, please.’
▷ yeah /jeə/ spoken informal :
▪ ‘Are you ready, Chrissie?’ ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m just coming.’
▪ ‘Was it £2000 that your car cost?’ ‘Yeah, that’s right.’
▪ ‘Do you think you may have to retire from athletics soon?’ ‘Well, yeah, I suppose so.’
▷ sure /ʃʊəʳ/ spoken informal especially American :
▪ ‘Do you have the time, please?’ ‘Sure, it’s three o'clock.’
▪ ‘We’re going to the beach this afternoon - want to come?’ ‘Sure, that 'd be great.’
▷ definitely /ˈdefɪnətli, ˈdefənətli/ spoken
say this when you want to agree strongly with something, or to make it clear that you are definitely going to do something :
▪ ‘I think Mark would make a good team captain, don’t you?’ ‘Definitely!’
▪ ‘Are you going to Sonya’s party?’ ‘Definitely! It should be really fun.’
▷ of course /əv ˈkɔːʳs/ spoken
say this when you are surprised or annoyed that someone has asked you something, or to make your answer strong :
▪ ‘Do you know when my birthday is?’ ‘Of course, it’s next Wednesday.’
of course I am/she is/you can etc
▪ ‘Are you feeling nervous?’ ‘Of course I am, it’s a very important speech.’
▷ I’m afraid so /aɪm əˌfreɪd ˈsəʊ/ spoken
say this when you think the person asking the question is hoping for a different answer :
▪ ‘You’re not going out, are you?’ ‘I’m afraid so. But I won’t be long.’
▪ ‘School doesn’t start again next week, does it?’ ‘Yes, I’m afraid so, Charlie.’
▷ answer/reply in the affirmative /ˌɑːnsəʳ, rɪˌplaɪ ɪn ði əˈfɜːʳmətɪvǁˌæn-/ [verb phrase] formal written
to say yes - use this when someone says yes in a formal or public situation, for example in a law court :
▪ When asked if he recognized the defendant, the witness replied in the affirmative.
▪ Are men more mechanical than women? 67% of all men responding to our poll answered in the affirmative.
2. when someone asks you for permission to do something
▷ yes /jes/ spoken :
▪ ‘Is it all right if I use this computer?’ ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
▪ ‘Do you have a pen I can borrow?’ ‘Yes, what color do you want?’
▪ I asked her if I could come too, and she said yes.
▷ ok/okay /əʊˈkeɪ/ spoken
say this when you agree to give permission but you are not completely happy about it :
▪ ‘Mum, can I borrow your car for an hour?’ ‘OK, but don’t be any longer than that.’
▪ Ed asked if he could stay over at Matt’s house so I said okay.
▷ sure /ʃʊəʳ/ spoken informal especially American :
▪ ‘Can I call you this evening?’ ‘Sure. I’ll be home about seven thirty.’
▪ ‘Do you have a photo of the baby I can see?’ ‘Sure,’ said Maddy, pulling out her wallet.
▷ of course /əv ˈkɔːʳs/ spoken
use this to say clearly and definitely that you are very willing to give your permission for something :
▪ ‘Do you think I could borrow some money?’ ‘Of course. How much do you need?’
of course you can/we will etc
▪ ‘Will we be able to go to Disney World?’ ‘Of course we will, that’s why we’re here.’
▷ certainly /ˈsɜːʳtnli/ spoken
say this especially when you are being polite to someone in a formal situation :
▪ ‘Can I change the date of my return flight to London?’ ‘Certainly, which date would you prefer?’
▪ ‘I’d like to use the hotel sauna, please.’ ‘Certainly, Madam. It’s down the corridor on the left.’
▷ go ahead /ˌgəʊ əˈhed/ spoken
say this when someone asks your permission to use something that belongs to you, or asks to do something that affects you in some way :
▪ ‘Is it OK if I smoke?’ ‘Sure, go ahead.’
▪ ‘Do you mind if I use your phone?’ ‘Not at all - go ahead.’
▷ by all means /baɪ ˌɔːl ˈmiːnz/ spoken formal
say this to show that you are very willing to give permission :
▪ ‘Do you think I could stay at your house for a few days?’ ‘By all means, but you may have to sleep on the floor.’
▷ no problem /ˌnəʊ ˈprɒbləmǁ-ˈprɑːb-/ spoken
say this to show that you are very willing to give permission, and it is not at all inconvenient for you :
▪ ‘Would it be all right if I leave work a bit early tomorrow? I’ve got a dentist’s appointment.’ ‘No problem - thanks for letting me know.’
3. when someone asks or tells you to do something
▷ yes /jes/ spoken :
▪ ‘Will you type this letter for me, please.’ ‘Yes, but I’ll have to finish this first.’
▪ ‘Clean the pans and scrub the floor, I want this place spotless.’ ‘Yes, sir,’ he replied.
▷ ok/okay /əʊˈkeɪ/ spoken
say this when you agree to do something but you are not completely happy about it :
▪ ‘Could you pick me up at about 12 o'clock?’ ‘Okay, if you’re sure it won’t be any later than that.’
▪ ‘Go and wake Ted up, will you?’ ‘OK, but he isn’t going to be too pleased.’
▷ all right/alright /ˌɔːl ˈraɪt/ spoken
say this especially when you do not really want to do what someone is asking or telling you to do :
▪ ‘Dad, can you help me with this maths homework?’ ‘Alright, but shouldn’t you really do it by yourself?’
all right then
▪ ‘I’d really like to see you some time this week.’ ‘Oh, all right then, how about a quick drink after work?’
▷ right /raɪt/ spoken especially British
say this especially when you want to show that you have understood what someone wants you to do and you are going to do it :
▪ ‘We seem to have run out of eggs, too.’ ‘Right, how many do you want?’
▪ ‘I’ll need ten copies of this letter.’ ‘Right, I’ll do it straight away.’
▷ sure /ʃʊəʳ/ spoken informal especially American
say this when you are happy to do something which someone asks or tells you to do :
▪ ‘Will you be able to help with Jimmy’s birthday party?’ ‘Sure, I love kids.’
▪ ‘Just go out to the garage, will you, and get my tools.’ ‘Sure, I’ll be right back.’
▷ no problem /nəʊ ˈprɒbləmǁ-ˈprɑː-/ spoken
say this when you are very happy to do something that someone has asked you to do :
▪ ‘Can you have the car ready for me by 5 o'clock?’ ‘No problem, sir.’
▪ ‘Could you get me down that box on the top shelf?’ ‘Sure, no problem at all.’