Yes/No questions (also known as closed questions) are fundamental to effective communication. Their primary use is to elicit a quick, simple **affirmation** or **denial**—a "Yes" or "No"—making them incredibly efficient for gathering specific information, confirming facts, and guiding decisions.
The most common use is to confirm a fact, assumption, or state of being. This quickly establishes a baseline understanding.
In a business or procedural context, Yes/No questions are crucial for forcing a simple, **binary choice** or getting a clear commitment to an action.
| Goal | Question | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Gaining Approval | Do you approve the budget? | Requires a clear acceptance or rejection. |
| Seeking Permission | Can I take a break now? | Seeks authorization for an action. |
| Establishing Preference | Would you prefer the blue option? | Narrows down choices. |
In technical support, medical intake, or troubleshooting, a series of Yes/No questions helps quickly filter possibilities and narrow down the cause of a problem.
This process of asking closed questions to eliminate possibilities is often called a **decision tree** or **triage**.
Yes/No questions are a powerful tool for controlling the flow of a discussion. They **limit the length** of the response, prevent the speaker from going off-topic, and maintain focus on a specific point.
❌ Open Question: "Tell me about the progress of the whole project."
✅ Yes/No Question: "Is the final phase of development complete?"
Often, a Yes/No question is used as an introductory filter before asking for detail. This prevents the listener from explaining something that isn't relevant.