Very short answer

A very short answer is an answer that consists of particles or phrases but not containing a clause. It can be contrasted with a short answer and a long answer

• The very short answer to polar questions is "yes" or "no".
• The very short answer to an open question (usually a wh- question) is just a phrase, e.g. “What’s the capital of France?" the very short answer is “Paris".
• The answer to a choice question is a very short answer, e.g. “Is the capital of Germany Berlin or Hamburg?" “Berlin.”