NEGATIVE QUESTIONS


Contracted and uncontracted negative questions have different word order. Uncontracted negative questions are usually used in a formal style.
  • Aren’t you coming? (Contracted – auxiliary verb + n’t + subject)
  • Doesn’t he understand? (Auxiliary verb + n’t + subject)
  • Are you not coming? (Uncontracted – auxiliary verb + subject + not)
  • Does he not understand? (Auxiliary verb + subject + not)
Two meanings
A negative question can have two different kinds of meanings. It can, for example, be used to ask for confirmation of something you believe to be true.
  • Didn’t you see Ann yesterday? How is she doing? (= I believe that you saw Ann yesterday.)
You may also express your opinions in a more polite way by changing them into negative questions.
  • Wouldn’t it be nice to paint that wall green? (More polite than ‘It would be nice to paint that wall green.’)
A negative question can also be used to ask for confirmation of a negative belief. In this case the speaker is surprised that something has not happened or is not happening.
  • Hasn’t the postman come yet?
Polite requests, offers, complaints etc
Pressing offers and invitations often assume the form of negative questions. They usually begin Won’t you…? Wouldn’t you…? or Why don’t you…?
  • Wouldn’t you like something to drink?
  • Why don’t you come and spend the evening with us?
In other cases we do not normally use a negative question to ask people to do things.
  • Can you help me with my homework? (Ordinary question used as a request.)
Exercise:
1. You are not English. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

2. You worked today at 3:00. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

3. He is eating at the moment. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

4. Remy has got a bike. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

5. Would you come tomorrow? Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

6. Juliet has a big family. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

7. They will pass their exam. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

8. Paul is French. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

9. We went to the beach yesterday. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

10. I will realise all my dreams. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

11. My friends enjoyed the last Thanksgiving feast. 
Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

12. The name of Ali's dog is Pépito. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

13. My grandparents lived in a small village. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

14. Sonia has two children. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

15. Tania is going abroad. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

16. Juan will help poor people when he is rich. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

17. I'd give you a present for your birthday. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

18. The Earth turns around the Sun. Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

19. Did you succeed in doing the exercise? Display virtual keyboard interface ? 

ANSWERS
1. Aren't you English ?

2. Didn't you work today at 3:00 ?

3. Isn't he eating at the moment ?

4. Hasn't Remy got a bike ?

5. Wouldn't you come tomorrow ?

6. Doesn't Juliet have a big family ?

7. Won't they pass their exam ?

8. Isn't Paul French ?

9. Didn't we go to the beach yesterday ?

10. Won't I realise all my dreams ?

11. Didn't my friends enjoy the last Thanksgiving feast ?

12. Isn't the name of Ali's dog Pépito ?

13. Didn't my grandparents live in a small village ?

14. Doesn't Sonia have two children ?

15. Isn't Tania going abroad ?

16. Won't Juan help poor people when he is rich ?

17. Wouldn't I give you a present for your birthday ?

18. Doesn't the Earth turn around the Sun ?

19. Didn't you succeed in doing the exercis

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