eLanguage.com


Learn to Speak English Online:
English Grammar Guidebook

« Back to the Guidebook Index | Learn to Speakā„¢ English Deluxe

Negative Questions

Back   Sentence Structure
(5th of 12)
Next

In a yes/no question in which the verb is negative, usually a contraction is used:

–Doesn't she live with you?

The other form, which is not contracted, is considered formal and is rarely used in everyday speech:

–Does she not live with you?

To form a negative question, make the auxiliary negative by adding not:

–Do they cash traveler's checks?
–> Don't they (Do they not) cash...?

HERE ARE SOME MORE EXAMPLES:

–Is Mr. Jones here?
–>Isn't Mr. Jones here?

–Are you coming?
–>Aren't you coming?



Examples of Negative Questions

  • Aren't they married?
  • Don't you have any cash?