is that yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is that yes" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or unclear.
It can be used in conversational contexts to seek confirmation or agreement, but it may not be appropriate for formal writing. Example: "So, if you're willing to help me with this project, is that yes?"

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The natural assumption is that yes, it does.

The Economist

What the NSPCC finds is that, yes, sexting is an expression of burgeoning tween/teenage sexuality.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The reality is that yes, we sort of chased after one another throughout the five years.

The New York Times

All I can say is that yes, something has happened to him.

The New Yorker

The point is that yes, tax policy these past 30 years has been very much tilted toward benefiting the rich.

The New York Times

Another benefit of having more Cablevision customers is that YES will be able to bring in more advertising revenues.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is that good, yes.

The New Yorker

So, is that a "yes"?

The Guardian

Q: So is that a "yes," sir?

The Guardian

My guess is that the answer is yes.

The New Yorker

There it was that, yes, I was evicted.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is that yes" in informal conversational settings when seeking confirmation of an affirmative response. Be mindful that it's not appropriate for formal or professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is that yes" in professional emails, academic papers, or formal presentations. Opt for more direct and grammatically standard alternatives like "is that a yes?" or "does that mean yes?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that yes" primarily functions as an interrogative confirmation request. It seeks affirmation or agreement from the listener or reader, essentially asking if their preceding statement or action implies a 'yes' response. As Ludwig suggests, the phrase is used to confirm understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is that yes" is a common yet informal way to seek confirmation, primarily used in conversational settings. As Ludwig AI underlines, its grammatical correctness is debated, making it less suitable for formal or professional writing. While prevalent in news media, alternatives like "is that a yes?" or "does that mean yes?" are preferable in formal contexts. When deciding to use "is that yes", consider the audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does that mean yes

Rephrases the query to focus on whether an affirmative implication is present.

so is that a yes

Adds emphasis on obtaining a clear confirmation.

are you saying yes

Focuses on the speaker's intention to confirm.

is that affirmative

Uses a more formal term for "yes".

does that sound like a yes

Inquires whether something implies an affirmative response.

can I take that as a yes

Asks for permission to interpret something as an agreement.

is that a definite yes

Seeks confirmation that the agreement is certain.

in other words, yes

Rephrases an earlier statement with a direct affirmation.

so you agree

Seeks explicit agreement.

are we in agreement

Checks for overall consensus.

FAQs

What does "is that yes" mean?

The phrase "is that yes" is a colloquial way of asking for confirmation that someone is agreeing with you or giving an affirmative response. It's often used in informal settings.

Is "is that yes" grammatically correct?

While commonly used in spoken English, "is that yes" is not considered grammatically standard. More formal alternatives include "is that a yes?" or "does that mean yes?".

When should I avoid using "is that yes"?

Avoid using "is that yes" in formal writing, professional communications, or academic papers. It's best suited for casual conversations.

What are some alternatives to "is that yes"?

Instead of "is that yes", consider using phrases like "does that mean yes?", "so is that a yes?", or simply "do you agree?" depending on the context.