2015-08-21
405
We generally ask negative questions
- when we are expecting, inviting or hoping for the answer Yes
Don't you remember that holiday we had in Spain?
- Yes I do {No I don t would be possible but unexpected)
- when we wish to express surprise, disbelief or exasperation Can't you (really) ride a bicycle? ~ No I can't
- when we wish to persuade someone Won't you help me? (= Please help me) [compare > 11.21]
- Oh all right then /No I'm afraid I can t/won t etc
- when we want to criticize or to express annoyance or sarcasm Can't you shut the door behind you? (no answer expected)
- in exclamations (with falling intonation) Didn't he do well1 Isn't it hot in here1
An exclamation can also be used as a reply to a statement He has been very successful - Yes hasn't he'
We use the full form in formal questions or when we require special emphasis to express anger, surprise, etc
Have I not asked you again and again to be here on time? and in rhetorical questions not requiring an answer
Are there not more than enough weapons of destruction on earth?
13 Questions, answers, negatives
Where the subject is a noun not can come after the auxiliary: Are not more people dying of cancer these days?
Full form and short form questions can be answered with Yes/No short answers. The auxiliary does not echo the form of the question (i.e. Did you? - Yes, I did /No, I didn't), but indicates what the facts are: Didn't you (or Did you not) go to a party last night?
- Yes, I did (i.e. I did go to a party last night.)
- No, I didn't (i.e. I didn't go to a party last night.)
- No, I did not (emphatic denial)
Tag questions and Yes/No short answers
Form of tag questions: affirmative - negative
| be [> 10.6]: | affirmative I'm They're We were | late, waiting late, | negative aren't I? aren't they? weren't we? |
| have [> 10.27]: | I've He's | finished, left, | haven't I? hasn't he? |
| do [> 10.41]: does: did | You It You | like it, works, painted it, | don't you? doesn't it? didn't you? |
| modals[> 11.5], | l can | see him, | can't I? |
| Form of tag questions: negative - | affirmative | ||
| be [> 10.6]: | negative I'm not He isn't I wasn't | late, leaving ill, | affirmative am I? is he? was I? |
| have[> 10.27]: | I haven't He hasn t | finished, left | have I? has he? |
| do [> 10 41]: does: did: | You don't It doesn 't You didn't | like it, work, paint it, | do you? does it? did you? |
| modals[> 11.5]: | I can't | see him | can I? |
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