A1 · 初級 チャプター 7

Asking Questions and Saying No

5 トータルルール
60 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of conversation by learning to ask questions and express negation with confidence.

  • Form negative sentences using 'not'.
  • Construct simple questions with the verb 'to be'.
  • Ask for information using Wh-words like What and Where.
Ask, deny, and discover: master the art of dialogue!

学べること

Get ready to chat! In this chapter, you'll discover how to ask simple questions and say no clearly, making conversations much easier. Soon you'll be asking "What's your name? and saying I'm not tired!" like a pro.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Form basic negative sentences correctly.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Ask and answer simple questions about identity and ability.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Mastering how to ask simple questions and confidently say no is a cornerstone for any beginner learning English. This chapter will equip you with essential tools to start engaging in basic conversations right away. You'll learn the fundamental English asking questions and saying no structures that are crucial for A1 English grammar, helping you navigate everyday interactions with ease.
We'll break down how to form negative sentences using 'not' with the verb 'be' (like
I am not hungry
) and then expand on general negation using helper verbs. You'll also discover the straightforward method for asking yes/no questions with 'be' (like
Are you a student?
). Furthermore, we'll introduce the powerful English Wh-questions (What, Where, When) to gather more specific information, and show you how to use the verb 'can' for both asking about abilities and declining requests.
By the end of this guide, you'll feel much more confident expressing yourself and understanding others.

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into how these simple yet powerful grammar tools function. When you want to state that something is not true or someone is not something, you primarily use 'not' after the verb 'be' (am, is, are). For example,
I am not tired.
or "She isn't here." Notice how we often use contractions like 'isn't' and 'aren't' in casual speech.
To turn a statement with 'be' into a question, it's incredibly simple: just move the 'be' verb to the beginning of the sentence. So,
You are happy
becomes
Are you happy?
For making other types of sentences negative, particularly those with action verbs, you'll often need a helper verb like 'do' before 'not'. For instance,
I do not like coffee
or "He doesn't speak French." This 'do' verb changes form to 'does' for 'he', 'she', 'it' in the present simple. When asking for specific information, we use Wh-questions like What, Where, and When.
If the sentence uses the verb 'be', the Wh-word comes first, followed by 'be':
Where is the park?
. If it has an action verb, you'll use 'do' after the Wh-word:
What do you like?
. Finally, the verb 'can' is special.
To ask a question, you swap the subject and 'can':
Can you help me?
. To say no, you use 'cannot' or its common contraction, 'can't': "I can't go."

Common Mistakes

Learning to ask questions and say no effectively sometimes involves avoiding common pitfalls. Here are a few:
  1. 1✗ Wrong: I not am ready.
✓ Correct: I am not ready.
*Explanation:* The word 'not' always comes immediately after the 'be' verb (am, is, are).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: You are hungry?
✓ Correct: Are you hungry?
*Explanation:* For yes/no questions with 'be', invert the subject and the 'be' verb.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Where you live?
✓ Correct: Where do you live?
*Explanation:* When asking a Wh-question about an action, you need the helper verb 'do' (or 'does') after the Wh-word.

Real Conversations

Here are a few quick chats to show these grammar points in action.

Dialogue 1: Meeting Someone New

A

A

Hello! What's your name?
B

B

Hi! My name is Maria. What's your name?
A

A

I'm Tom. Are you from Spain, Maria?
B

B

No, I'm not from Spain. I'm from Mexico.

Dialogue 2: Making Plans

A

A

Are you busy this evening?
B

B

Yes, I am. I can't meet tonight.
A

A

Oh, okay. When can you meet?
B

B

Maybe tomorrow? I'm not busy then.

Dialogue 3: Quick Questions

A

A

Excuse me, is this the bus stop?
B

B

Yes, it is.
A

A

Great! When does the next bus come?
B

B

In five minutes.

Quick FAQ

Q: How do I make a simple English sentence negative at an A1 level?

For sentences with the verb 'be' (am, is, are), simply put 'not' right after it, like

He is not happy.
For other verbs, you usually add 'do not' (or 'don't') before the main verb, such as
I do not understand.

Q: What are the easiest ways to ask basic questions in English?

The simplest way is to invert the subject and the verb 'be' (e.g.,

Is she here?
). For more specific information, use Wh-words like What, Where, or When at the beginning, often followed by 'do/does' for actions (e.g.,
What do you like?
) or 'be' (e.g.,
Where is it?
).

Q: Can I always just say no to answer a question in English?

While you *can* say no, it's often more polite and natural to use a full negative sentence. For example, instead of just No to

Are you tired?
, say "No, I'm not tired. Using just no" can sometimes sound a bit direct or abrupt.

Q: How do I use 'can' for questions and negatives in elementary English?

To ask a question with 'can', you put 'can' before the subject (e.g.,

Can you swim?
). To make a negative sentence, put 'not' after 'can', often contracted to 'can't' (e.g., "I can't come").

Cultural Context

In English-speaking cultures, direct questions and negative statements are common and generally accepted, especially at an A1 level where clarity is key. While you learn to say no directly (e.g.,
I am not hungry
), it's also good to know that native speakers sometimes soften a direct no with a brief explanation or apology (e.g., "I can't go, I'm busy.
). Always use polite terms like
please and thank you" when asking questions to maintain a friendly tone.

重要な例文 (8)

1

I'm not tired after that long flight.

あの長時間のフライトの後でも、私は疲れていません。

英語の否定文: 「〜ではない」の言い方 (am not, isn't, aren't)
2

The new restaurant isn't open on Mondays.

その新しいレストランは月曜日には開いていません。

英語の否定文: 「〜ではない」の言い方 (am not, isn't, aren't)
3

Am I late for class?

授業に遅刻してますか？

準備はいいですか？ 'be' を使った英語の質問
4

Are you a student?

あなたは学生ですか？

準備はいいですか？ 'be' を使った英語の質問
5

I am not tired after that long walk.

長い散歩の後、私は疲れていません。

英語の否定文: 'not' の正しい使い方
6

She isn't here yet for our coffee meeting.

彼女はまだコーヒーミーティングに来ていません。

英語の否定文: 'not' の正しい使い方
7

What is your name?

あなたの名前は何ですか？

英語のWh疑問文：What, Where, When
8

Where are you from?

出身はどこですか？

英語のWh疑問文：What, Where, When

ヒントとコツ (4)

💡

短縮形を使ってみましょう！

「isn't」や「aren't」を使うと、カジュアルな会話やメッセージの時に、もっと自然な英語に聞こえます。とてもよく使われる表現なので、ぜひ使ってみてくださいね！「He isn't here.」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 「〜ではない」の言い方 (am not, isn't, aren't)
💡

「入れ替え」を練習しよう！

友達に「今日、忙しい？」と聞きたいとき、まず「あなたは忙しいです。」(You are busy.)と考えてみて。それから最初の二つの単語を「Are you busy?」と文字通り「ひっくり返す」だけ！毎日練習すれば、自然にできるようになりますよ。「Are you happy?」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 準備はいいですか？ 'be' を使った英語の質問
💡

短縮形を使ってみよう！

「isn't」、「aren't」、「can't」、「don't」、「doesn't」のような短縮形は、会話でもカジュアルな文章でもよく使われます。これを使うと、より自然な英語に聞こえますよ！「I don't like it.」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 'not' の正しい使い方
💡

まずは「be動詞」で練習！

最初に「What is...?」や「Where are...?」、「When is...?」といった「be動詞」を使った質問から始めましょう。これらは比較的簡単で、語順の基礎がしっかり身につきますよ。「What is your name?」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語のWh疑問文：What, Where, When

重要な語彙 (6)

not negation marker what asking for information where asking for location can expressing ability tired feeling of fatigue ready prepared for action

Real-World Preview

coffee

At the Café

Review Summary

  • Subject + be + not
  • Be + subject + ...?
  • Wh-word + be + subject?
  • Subject + can + verb

よくある間違い

In English, we use 'not' as the adverb for negation, not 'no'. 'No' is usually used for direct answers.

Wrong: I no happy.
正解: I am not happy.

To make a question, you must invert the subject and the verb 'to be'.

Wrong: You are tired?
正解: Are you tired?

Even with a Wh-word, the subject and verb must remain inverted in a question.

Wrong: What you are?
正解: What are you?

Next Steps

You have done a fantastic job! Keep asking questions and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Watch an English interview and write down 3 questions you hear.

Continue to: The Basics of Time and Space

クイック練習 (10)

正しく否定形を使っている文を選びましょう。

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm not hungry.
「I」の場合、正しい否定の短縮形は「I'm not」です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 「〜ではない」の言い方 (am not, isn't, aren't)

正しく否定形を使っている文を選びましょう。

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I am not happy.
「be動詞」を否定する場合、「not」は「am」、「is」、「are」の直後に置きます。「I am not happy」が正しい形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 'not' の正しい使い方

文中の間違いを見つけて修正しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

You are a student?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Are you a student?
be動詞を使った「はい/いいえ」の質問を作るには、主語とbe動詞を入れ替える必要があります。「You are」は「Are you」になります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 準備はいいですか？ 'be' を使った英語の質問

文の間違いを見つけて修正しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

We isn't going to the party.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We aren't going to the party.
主語の「We」は複数形なので、「are not」（aren't）が必要です。「isn't」ではありません。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 「〜ではない」の言い方 (am not, isn't, aren't)

文の間違いを見つけて直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

He can't to play the piano.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He can't play the piano.
「can」や「can't」の後は、主な動詞はいつも「to」なしの原形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: 質問と否定

正しいWh-wordを選びましょう

___ is your name?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: What
「What」は名前のような情報や身元を尋ねる時に使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語のWh疑問文：What, Where, When

質問を完成させる正しいbe動詞の形を選びましょう。

___ she busy right now?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Is
主語が「she」の場合、be動詞の正しい形は「is」です。質問を作るには「Is」を「she」の前に置きます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 準備はいいですか？ 'be' を使った英語の質問

質問を完成させる正しい形を選んでください。

___ you speak French?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can
「Can」は能力を尋ねるために使われ、「do」や「are」のような助動詞は必要ありません。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: 質問と否定

文の間違いを見つけて直しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

They no like pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They don't like pizza.
「like」のような動詞の場合、助動詞「do」（またはhe/she/itの場合は「does」）の後に「not」が必要です。「Don't」は「do not」の短縮形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 'not' の正しい使い方

文を完成させる正しい形を選びましょう。

My cat ___ a fan of baths.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: isn't
主語の「My cat」は単数形（it）なので、「isn't」（is not）を使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の否定文: 「〜ではない」の言い方 (am not, isn't, aren't)

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

「to be」の形（am, is, are）の直後に「not」を追加するだけです。「I am」は「I am not」に、「She is」は「She is not」に、「They are」は「They are not」になりますよ。
「isn't」と「aren't」は短縮形（contractions）で、日常会話やカジュアルな書き言葉（メッセージなど）でより短く、一般的によく使われます。文がより自然に聞こえるんですよ。
一番簡単な方法は、「be動詞」（am, is, are）と「主語」を入れ替えるだけです！例えば、「You are happy」は「Are you happy?」になります。「Are you happy?」
カジュアルな場面では理解されることもありますが、文法的には、英語の「はい/いいえ」で答える「be動詞」の質問は、「be動詞」が主語の前に来る必要があります。「Are you tired?」が標準的で最も明確な言い方です。「Are you tired?」
否定とは、文を反対の意味にしたり、何かが真実ではないと表現したりする方法です。英語では、主に動詞や助動詞の後に「not」を置くことで否定を表します。例えば、「I am happy」は「I am not happy」になります。
一般的に、「not」は「be動詞」（am not、isn't、aren't）の直後、または「can」のような助動詞（can't、cannot）の後に来ます。他のほとんどの動詞では、「do」や「does」といった助動詞の後に来ます（don't、doesn't）。
前のチャプター
自分のこと、もっと話そう！否定と質問で広がる日常会話
次のチャプター
The Basics of Time and Space
ロードマップに戻る