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Negative Questions

1

What is it?

Negative questions are questions formed with a negative auxiliary verb (isn't, don't, didn't, haven't, etc.). They are used in English to express surprise, disbelief, criticism, or to invite agreement. They can also be used to make polite requests or suggestions. The tricky part is answering them — "yes" means the positive is true, and "no" means the negative is true.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Contracted (most common)Isn't she coming?Didn't you see it?Haven't they left yet?
Uncontracted (formal)Is she not coming?Did you not see it?Have they not left yet?
Present simple — don't/doesn'tDon't you like coffee?Doesn't he know the answer?
Past simple — didn'tDidn't you go to the party?Didn't she call you?
Modal — can't/couldn't/won'tCan't you come earlier?Won't they accept the offer?
  • • Contracted form: negative auxiliary + subject: "Isn't she...?", "Didn't you...?"
  • • Uncontracted (formal) form: auxiliary + subject + not: "Is she not...?", "Did you not...?"
  • • The contracted form is much more common in everyday speech.
  • • Answering negative questions: "Yes" = the positive is true. "No" = the negative is true.
  • • Example: "Didn't you call?" → "Yes, I did." (I called) / "No, I didn't." (I didn't call)
  • • Uses: surprise, criticism, making suggestions, emphasising expectation.
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Expressing surprise or disbelief

    Isn't she the new manager? (I thought she was!)

  2. 2

    Gentle criticism or reproach

    Didn't you read the instructions?

  3. 3

    Inviting agreement

    Isn't this a beautiful view?

  4. 4

    Making a polite suggestion or request

    Won't you sit down?

  5. 5

    Emphasising an expectation

    Haven't you finished yet?

4

Common mistakes

Didn't he went to school today?

Didn't he go to school today?

After "didn't", use the base form of the verb. Not "went".

"Don't you like it?" → "Yes, I don't."

"Don't you like it?" → "Yes, I do." (if you like it) / "No, I don't." (if you don't like it)

"Yes" always confirms the positive. "No" always confirms the negative, regardless of how the question was framed.

Isn't he doesn't know the answer?

Doesn't he know the answer?

Only one negative auxiliary. Use "doesn't" (not both "isn't" and "doesn't").

5

Quick reference

  • Negative questions: negative auxiliary + subject + base verb.
  • Contracted form is most common in speech.
  • "Yes" = the positive statement is true.
  • "No" = the negative statement is true.
  • Uses: surprise, disbelief, criticism, suggestions, agreements.
  • Don't use two negatives: one negative auxiliary is enough.
6

Natural conversation example

Flatmates discuss a missed event.

O

Ollie

Didn't you come to the party last night?
Z

Zoe

No, I had to work late. Wasn't it good?
O

Ollie

It was brilliant! Haven't you heard what happened?
Z

Zoe

No! What? Don't tell me someone fell in the pool again.
O

Ollie

Close. Isn't it funny — Raf proposed to Diana!
Z

Zoe

No way! Weren't they only together for like three months?
O

Ollie

Six actually. Couldn't you have at least come for an hour?
Z

Zoe

I really couldn't. Didn't he say anything to you beforehand?

Practice Exercises

Write the correct negative auxiliary to form the negative question.

  1. 1.
    __ she call you back? (past)
  2. 2.
    __ he at the meeting? (past be)
  3. 3.
    __ you read the email yet? (present perfect)
  4. 4.
    __ they working on this together? (present continuous)
  5. 5.
    __ she speak Spanish? (present simple)
  6. 6.
    __ you come tomorrow? (modal)
  7. 7.
    __ it stop raining? (modal)
  8. 8.
    __ he pass the exam? (past)
  9. 9.
    __ they arrived yet? (present perfect)
  10. 10.
    __ this amazing? (present be)
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