Student handout — Grammar for Korean Speakers
Why "Yes, I Don't" Makes Sense in Korean but Not in English
Yes or No? Answer the Fact, Not the Question
Rule: In English, "Yes" and "No" describe what is TRUE. It doesn't matter how the question was asked.
Practice
Look at the fact in brackets. Circle the correct answer, then write the full sentence.
- "Don't you like pizza?" [Fact: I like pizza] → Yes / No → _______________________
- "Didn't you finish your homework?" [Fact: not finished] → Yes / No → _______________________
- "You don't have a phone, do you?" [Fact: I have a phone] → Yes / No → _______________________
- "Isn't your birthday in June?" [Fact: birthday is in June] → Yes / No → _______________________
- "You weren't at school yesterday, were you?" [Fact: was at school] → Yes / No → _______________________
Speaking practice
Ask your partner three negative questions. Your partner answers with the TRUE fact only, not what "sounds right."