Notes

Speaking Exercise: Saying "yes" and "no"


There are many other ways to say "yes" or "no" in English. Try out our quiz belo!

Level: Pre-intermediate and above

1. Your friend asks, ''Would you like to go out for a meal tonight?'' but you don't want to. What do you say?
Maybe another time? Sounds great!''Maybe another time'' is a good way to put off (postpone) something. You could also give a reason, such as ''I've got a lot on at the moment'' or ''I need to get up early tomorrow for work'', etc.
2. Your colleague asks you, ''Fancy a drink after work?'' You want to say yes.
Absolutely! I think I'll pass.''Absolutely'' is a strong agreement (''Absolutely not!'' is a strong way to decline or disagree). ''I think I'll pass'' means you can't accept the offer this time. Again, you might want to give a reason, such as ''I have to get back home early tonight''.
3. A friend you don't know very well asks you to go shopping. You don't want to and say:
I'd rather not, if you don't mind. Definitely not!''Definitely not!'' is too strong for a polite refusal. Saying ''I'd rather not'' (= I would rather not go shopping) followed by ''if you don't mind'' (= if that's OK with you) is very polite.
4. A good friend asks you, ''Would you like to go fishing with me tomorrow?'' You love fishing and say:
You bet! Why not?''You bet'' is definite and enthusiastic, but ''why not?'' sounds less sure and positive.
5. Your boss asks you to stay late, but you can't tonight. You say:
''I'm afraid I can't tonight. What about tomorrow?'' ''No way!''''I'm afraid I can't'' is a polite way to refuse an offer (or a request). ''No way!'' is too strong - you can use it with people you know well in an informal situation.
6. A group of friends are planning a weekend trip and they tell you about their plans and invite you. You want to go and say:
I wish I could. You're on!''You're on'' = a way to say you'd like to be involved. ''I wish I could'' (in response to ''Could you...'') shows regret that you can't do something.
7. Friends have invited you to a formal dinner party. You don't really like formal events, so you say
That sounds great! That sounds great, but...''That sounds great!'' is normally a way to say ''yes'': If you add ''but'' afterwards (with a reason, such as ''I won't be here that week'') you are giving an excuse not to do something.
8. Your friends invite you to stay the night after a party, but you don't want to. You say...
That's very kind of you, but... That's very kind of you!
9. Your boss gives you a great opportunity to do an interesting project. You want to accept and you say:
Thanks, I'd love to! Can I get back to you?''Can I get back to you?'' is a way to get extra time to make a decision and so we also say it when we want to politely refuse an offer. Saying ''I'd love to'' shows enthusiasm for something.
10. Your friend says, ''Do you fancy coming out with us for pizza tonight?'' You think that's a great idea and say:
Yeah, I'd be up for that! Yes, that's one possibility.If you are ''up for something'' it means you'd like to do it. If you say ''that's one possibility'' you think that it isn't the best idea.