negative questions

negative questions

1. grammar

   • TO SHOW SURPRISE
     • Didn't you hear the bell? I rang it four times.
   • IN EXCLAMATIONS
     • Doesn't that house look beautiful! (= that house looks really beautiful)
   • WHEN WE EXPECT THE LISTENER TO AGREE WITH US
     • "Haven't we met somewhere before?" "Yes, I think we have."

2. NOTICE THE MEANING OF YES AND NO IN ANSWERS TO NEGATIVE QUESTIONS:

   • Didn't Roberto pass his exams? Yes. (= Yes, he passed them.) No. (= No, he didn't pass them.)

3. NOTICE THE WORD ORDER IN NEGATIVE QUESTIONS WITH WHY...?:

   • Why didn't you lock the door? (not why you didn't lock)
   • Why don't we go out to Harley's restaurant? (not why we don't go)
   • Why can't you help me? (not why you can't help me)
   • Why wasn't Claudia invited to the party? (not why Claudia wasn't)

4. Structure

   • Contracted – auxiliary verb + n’t + subject
   • Auxiliary verb + n’t + subject
   • Uncontracted – auxiliary verb + subject + not
   • Auxiliary verb + subject + not