Negative questions
Introduction
"Don't you want to watch this film with me?" "No, thanks. I want to finish my book."
Definition
These are closed questions which use negative rather than affirmative verbs. They can be used in different tenses.
Construction
| 'To be' | Auxiliary (modal) verbs | Other verbs |
|
'be' + 'not' + subject
Aren't you hungry?
Wasn't it interesting?
Isn't there any cake?
|
auxiliary + 'not' + subject + main verb
Won't we finish on time?
Haven't you had lunch?
Can't you swim? |
'do' + 'not' + subject + verb
Didn't he go to the seminar?
Don't you like skiing?
Doesn't he work in Toulouse? |
|
'be' + 'not' + subject
Aren't you hungry?
Wasn't it interesting?
Isn't there any cake?
|
auxiliary + 'not' + subject + main verb
Won't we finish on time?
Haven't you had lunch?
Can't you swim? |
'do' + 'not' + subject + verb
Didn't he go to the seminar?
Don't you like skiing?
Doesn't he work in Toulouse? |
Note that
1. We can also use a non-contracted form, especially if we want to be more emphatic or show how we feel. For example, to show:
Surprise:
Are you not hungry?
Do you not like skiing?
Can you not swim?
Anger or frustration:
Have you still not finished?
Are you not listening to me?
Did he not go to the seminar after all?
2. Other negative words are possible. For example:
Is there no cake?
Can no one here find a solution?
Do you never eat cheese?
Is there no cake?
Can no one here find a solution?
Do you never eat cheese?
Uses
| Use | Examples |
|
To show surprise or disappointment
|
Didn't you enjoy your holiday?
Wasn't there any internet access in the room? How unprofessional!
Aren't you going to apply for the job? - you're perfect for it.
Haven't you ever been in a plane?
|
|
Looking for confirmation |
Didn't you work with him in the IT department?
Haven't we already talked about this?
Wouldn't it be better to wait until next week?
|
|
To express an opinion
Note that these are sometimes called rhetorical questions and might be seen with an exclamation mark rather than a question mark.
|
Isn't this weather terrible?
Wasn't that a good speech?
Hasn't he done a great job? |
Note that negative questions can sound aggressive, sarcastic or disapproving - in fact, this is sometimes the intention - so be careful. For example:
Aren't you going to offer me a coffee?
Haven't you checked your email today?
Responses to negative questions
When we use negative questions, we are expecting a certain response- we think we know what it will be - but whether this is 'yes' or 'no' depends on the kind of question. Of course, we might not get the answer we're expecting. For example:
Don't you have any money? — No, I don't (have any money). [expected answer]
Don't you have any money? — Yes, I do (have some money). [possible but not expected answer]
Here are some examples based on the uses above:
| Use | Expected and likely response -we agree with the speaker | Other possible responses - not expected by the speaker |
|
Surprise or disappointment |
"Didn't you enjoy your holiday?"
"No, it was a disaster!"
|
Didn't you enjoy your holiday?
"Yes, it was great. Why did you think that?"
|
|
Confirmation |
"Didn't you work with him in the IT department?"
"Yes, I did. It was when we first joined the company."
|
"Didn't you work with him in the IT department?"
"No, it was in R&D."
|
|
Opinion |
"Isn't this weather terrible?"
"Yes, it is. I can't wait for the summer."
|
"Isn't this weather terrible?"
"Not really. I actually like the rain."
|
Examples
| "Oh, don't you like milk in your tea?" "No, thanks. I prefer it black." | "Isn't Oliver going to be there tonight?" "No, he isn't. You'll have to wait till Vincent's party to see him." |
|
"You look familiar - weren't you at the conference in London last year? "Yes, that's right. I remember you too." |
"Doesn't he look like his father?" "Yes, they have the same nose!" |
|
"Aren't we going to have dinner?!" "Yes, but we really need to finish this first." | "Isn't it great having a job that involves travelling?" "Not for me. I miss my family too much." |
