Page 77 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A s k i n g a n d a n s w e r i n g n e g a t i v e q u e s t i o n s
and
answering
questions
negative
Asking
We can sometimes use negative yes/no or wh-questions to make a suggestion, to persuade
We can sometimes use negative yes/no or wh-questions to make a suggestion, to persuade
someone, to criticise, or to show that we are surprised, etc.:
someone, to criticise, or to show that we are surprised, etc.:
Why don't we go out for a meal?
(a suggestion)
• ¢ Why don't we go out for a meal? (a suggestion)
Wouldn't it be better to go tomorrow instead?
(persuading someone)
• ¢ Wouldn't it be better to go tomorrow instead? (persuading someone)
Can't you play that trumpet somewhere else?
(a criticism)
• ¢ Can't you play that trumpet somewhere else? (a criticism)
Didn't you tell them who you were? (showing surprise)
• ¢ Didn't you tell them who you were? (showing surprise)
(particularly why)
question with an auxiliary
•'D We usually make a negative yes/no or wh- (particularly why) question with an auxiliary
We usually make a negative yes/no or wh-
verb + -n't before the subject:
verb + -n't before the subject:
Doesn't he want to come with us?
Haven't you got anything better to do?
• ¢ Doesn't he want to come with us? • * Haven't you got anything better to do?
Why can't we go by bus?
g • « Why can't we go by bus?
'I'm not sure I like their new house.' 'What don't you like about it?'
• * 'T'm not sure I like their new house.’ ‘Whatdon't you like about it?'
We can also ask a negative question using a negative statement and a positive 'tag' at the end:
We can also ask a negative question using a negative statement and a positive 'tag' at the end:
We don't have to leave just yet, do we?
• ¢ We don't have to leave just yet, do we?
In more formal speech and writing, or when we want to give some special emphasis to the
In more formal speech and writing, or when we want to give some special emphasis to the
(perhaps to show that we are angry,
very surprised, or that we want particularly to
negative (perhaps to show that we are angry, very surprised, or that we want particularly to
negative
not
after the subject:
persuade someone), we can put not after the subject:
persuade someone), we can put
Did she not realise that she had broken the window?
• ¢ Did she not realise that she had broken the window?
Can they not remember anything about it?
Why did you not return the money?
•
• ¢ Can they not remember anything about it? = * Why did you not return the money?
If the question word is the subject, we put -n't or not after the auxiliary verb:
If the question word is the subject, we put -n't or not after the auxiliary verb:
Who wouldn't like to own an expensive sports car? {not Who not would like...?)
• ¢« Who wouldn't like to own an expensive sports car? {not Who not would like...?)
such as never, no, nobody, nothing,
We sometimes use negative words other than not (or -n't)
We sometimes use negative words other than not (or -n't) such as never, no, nobody, nothing,
and nowhere:
and nowhere:
Why do you never help me with my homework? (or Why don't you ever help...?)
• ¢ Why do you never help me with my homework? (or Why don't you ever help...?)
Have you no money left? (or Don't you have any money left?)
z • ¢ Have you no money left? (or Don't you have any money left?)
Have you nowhere to go? (or Haven't you got anywhere to go?)
• ¢ Have you nowhere to go? (or Haven't you got anywhere to go?)
and 'Haven't you anywhere...?' would be formal in the last two examples.]
(‘Haven't you any...?'
('Haven't you any...?' and 'Haven't you anywhere...?’ would be formal in the last two examples.)
Some negative questions anticipate that the answer will be or should be 'Yes':
Some negative questions anticipate that the answer will be or should be 'Yes':
'Wasn't Chris in Japan when the earthquake struck?' 'Yes, he was.'
• ¢ "Wasn't Chris in Japan when the earthquake struck?' 'Yes, he was.'
'Didn't I see you in Paris last week?' 'That's right.'
• ¢ 'Didn't I see you in Paris last week?! 'That's right.'
Other negative questions anticipate that the answer will be or should be 'No':
Other negative questions anticipate that the answer will be or should be 'No':
'What's wrong? Don't you eat fish?' 'No, it disagrees with me.'
• ¢ 'What's wrong? Don't you eat fish?’ 'No, it disagrees with me."
'Haven't you finished yet?' 'Sorry, not yet.'
• ¢ 'Haven't you finished yet?’ 'Sorry, not yet.'
from the context which kind of answer is anticipated.
It is usually clear
It is usually clear from the context which kind of answer is anticipated.
Notice how we answer negative questions:
We can make a suggestion with Why not + verb or Why don't/doesn't...:
Notice how we answer negative questions:
'Don't you enjoy helping me?' 'Yes.' (= Yes, I do enjoy it.) or 'No.' (= No, I don't enjoy it.)
• ¢ 'Don't you enjoy helping me?’ 'Yes.' © Yes, I do enjoy it.) or 'No.' (= No, I don't enjoy it.)
'You're not living here, are you?' 'Yes.' (= Yes, I am living here.) or 'No.' (= No, I'm not
• ¢ 'You're not living here, are you?’ 'Yes.' (= Yes, I am living here.) or 'No.' (= No, I'm not
living here.)
living here.)
We can make a suggestion with Why not + verb or Why don't/doesn't...:
Why not decorate the house yourself? (or Why don't you decorate...?)
• ¢ Why not decorate the house yourself? (or Why don't you decorate...?)
Why not give her what she wants f (or Why don't we give her...?)
• © Why not give her what she wants?’ (or Why don't we give her...?)
Why didn't... isn't used to make a suggestion, but can be used to criticise someone:
Why didn't... isn't used to make a suggestion, but can be used to criticise someone:
Why didn't you tell me that in the first place?
• ¢ Why didn't you tell me that in the first place?
Wh-questions =
Reporting questions^ =>
Reporing questions
Whiquesions =>