Yes, But
An anti-pattern in which a performer appears to accept an offer but then undercuts it with a qualifying objection, functionally blocking the scene.
Known for
- Explicitly named as the failure mode of Yes, And in Truth in Comedy: 'Answering Yes, But... stops any continued growth.'
- Distinct from soft blocking: the performer thinks they're agreeing, but the 'but' negates what came before.
- Common in new improvisers who confuse conflict with objection.