Yes

USAGE SUMMARY

Yes is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to answer a question or to express agreement in any situation. Example: "Do you want to go to the park?" "Yes, I would love to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Salmond sent the former BBC Scotland news executive Blair Jenkins, soon to be Yes Scotland's chief executive but then only a yes vote supporter, to brief the press, yet was unable to answer any key questions about its policies, structure or plans.

The Guardian

Yes, but.

The New York Times

A. Yes and no.

The New York Times

Yes, he can.

The Guardian - Film

Yes, Sinatra.

The New York Times - Food

"Yes it can".

The New York Times

Despite the chaotic start for Yes Scotland, the SNP had also done its own polling.

The Guardian

Yes, there was.

The New York Times

He is ineligible to vote in the referendum but helped set up a group – Irish Yes Equality Australia – to support the yes campaign.

The Guardian

The union had been saved after a tumultuous end to the referendum campaign, which had seen billions wiped off the share prices of Scottish companies in the wake of a YouGov poll on 7 September giving the Yes side a narrow lead.

The Guardian

Yes, that's right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Yes" to provide clear and direct confirmation in response to a question or statement, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence with "Yes" in formal writing. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use more sophisticated affirmative phrases like "Indeed", "Absolutely", or rephrase to integrate the affirmation smoothly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Yes" is as an affirmative particle. It's used to express agreement, acceptance, or confirmation. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in directly answering questions or acknowledging statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "Yes" functions as an affirmative particle, primarily used to express agreement, acceptance, or confirmation. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the tone and context, opting for alternatives like "Indeed" or "Absolutely" in more formal settings. Overusing "Yes", especially at the start of sentences, should be avoided to maintain writing sophistication. Employing clear and direct confirmation will avoid ambiguity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolutely

Offers a stronger, more definitive agreement than a simple "Yes".

Indeed

Replaces "Yes" with a more formal and emphatic affirmation.

Affirmative

A formal and direct confirmation, often used in military or professional settings.

That's right

Confirms the accuracy of a statement or understanding.

You're correct

Acknowledges the correctness of someone's statement or action.

Certainly

Expresses agreement with a sense of confidence and assurance.

Of course

Implies that something is obvious or expected.

Roger

Confirms receipt and understanding of a message, often used in radio communication.

Yup

An informal and casual form of agreement.

Okay

Indicates agreement or acceptance, often used to signal moving forward.

FAQs

How can I use "Yes" in a sentence?

Use "Yes" to answer a question affirmatively, express agreement, or acknowledge a statement. For example, "Are you coming to the party?" "Yes, I'll be there."

What can I say instead of "Yes"?

You can use alternatives like "indeed", "absolutely", or "affirmative" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "Yes"?

"Yes" is rarely incorrect grammatically but can be inappropriate in tone if used sarcastically or dismissively. Ensure your tone aligns with the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "Yes" and "Yeah"?

"Yes" is generally considered more formal than "yeah". Use "Yes" in professional or formal settings and "Yeah" in casual conversations.