To give a short answer to a question with the verb want, we say:
Do you want to come with us?
-Yes, I do.
Is it also possible to say:
Do you want to come with us?
-Yes, I want to.
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1Related question, In reply to “Do they have…”, which is correct — “yes, they do” or “yes, they have”?. I would prefer answering the question with "Sure", "Of course", or "Why not". If there are only two choices, I would definitely use the auxiliary verb, do.– user24743Jan 5, 2016 at 9:49
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1I've rarely seen a short answer with the second option. I don't know whether native speakers find it regular or unused. It'd be good to see an explanation since other examples can be shown as Do you take your medication? — Yes, I take it.– SchwaleJan 5, 2016 at 11:25
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1 Answer
As a native speaker of American English, I would most likely say
Yes, I do.
I could be a little more emphatic and say
Yes, I sure do.
If I wanted to use want I would most likely still use do:
Yes, I do want to.
But I would not say that often, and usually only when some person or some circumstance has cast some doubt on whether I want to.
The other option
Yes, I want to.
is not wrong, but it is probably the version I would least likely say. I may use it when I want to come but can't actually do so:
Yes, I want to, but I can't.
Instead of Yes, I do want to I could also say
Yes, I do do.
which means the same (emphasizing that I do actually want to go). However, this can be problematic, as do do sounds like doodoo, which is a slangy, child directed, or childish synonym of poopoo (excrement). So I wouldn't advise saying this unless you and the people you are talking with averse to any reference to this homonym, unless you wish to make a childish joke.
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The "sure do" thing is fine but not really necessary. I speak AmE and rarely say that. And certain verbs in English allow for repeating the main verb + to in the answer so the auxiliary does not have to be used: Would you like to come to the movies? A: Yes, I'd like to but can't. And "Yes I do want to" the emphatic form, is when there is some question about whether the person really wants to go. And "I do do" is a thing I have never ever heard in my entire life. What I have heard is: Yes, I do, I do.– LambieFeb 29, 2020 at 20:23