Grammar
Negative questions: meaning, tone, and word order
Your colleague has worked here for three years, but they do not know where the staff room is. You might ask, Don't you know where the staff room is? The question asks for information, but it also shows that the answer surprises you.
Form negative questions accurately and choose them when an expected answer, a reaction, or a suggestion fits the conversation.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Didn't you receive the schedule? /ˈdɪd.ənt juː rɪˈsiːv ðə ˈʃed.juːl/
The short answer
Put the negative auxiliary before the subject: Don't you agree? or Isn't the train due soon? Use a negative question when you expect a particular answer or want to show a reaction. A plain question is usually more neutral.
Didn't you receive the schedule yesterday?
Why it works: Didn't comes before the subject you. The speaker expects that the listener received the schedule and is checking that expectation.
5 more examples
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Aren't you coming to the meeting this afternoon?
The speaker expected the listener to attend and wants to check whether that expectation is still true.
Not this:
Are youcoming to the meeting this afternoon? What changes: The plain question asks about the plan without showing that the speaker expected a particular answer. -
Why didn't you save the document?
After why, put the negative auxiliary before the subject. Save stays in the base form because did already marks the past.
Not this:Why
did you notsave the document? What changes: The full form is possible and can sound more formal or more strongly emphatic than didn't you. -
Haven't they finished the report yet?
The present perfect auxiliary have comes before the subject. Yet makes the speaker's expectation about the timing clear.
Not this:
Have theyfinished the report yet? What changes: This version asks for an update without showing the same level of surprise or expectation. -
Why don't we meet near the station?
Why don't we commonly makes a suggestion that includes the speaker and listener.
Not this:
Why do wemeet near the station? What changes: This plain question asks for a reason for an existing arrangement. It does not suggest a new plan. -
Isn't it strange that the lights are still on?
The negative question asks the listener to share the speaker's reaction to an unusual situation.
Not this:
Is itstrange that the lights are still on? What changes: The plain form sounds more like a neutral request for the listener's opinion.
Read the full guide
First, decide whether you need a neutral question or whether you already have an expectation. Then choose the auxiliary that matches the tense and put its negative form before the subject. Finally, consider the relationship and tone. A negative question can invite agreement, but it can also feel like pressure if the situation is sensitive.
Start with the speaker's expectation
Choose a negative question when the speaker already expects, believes, or hopes that something is true. The question gives the listener a chance to confirm or correct that idea. Use a plain question when you have no expected answer.
Don't you usually work from home on Fridays?
The speaker thinks the listener usually works from home on Fridays. The question checks that belief.
Put the negative auxiliary before the subject
Use the same auxiliary that a plain question needs, but make it negative. With be, use isn't, aren't, wasn't, or weren't. With ordinary present and past verbs, use don't, doesn't, or didn't.
Wasn't the workshop useful?
Doesn't Maya live near the park?
Wasn't and doesn't both come before the subject. The main verb live stays in the base form after doesn't.
Keep the main verb in the base form after do
Do, does, and did carry the tense. After one of these auxiliaries, use the base form of the main verb. Do not add a second past or present ending to that verb.
Didn't he call you last week?
Call is the base form. Didn't already shows that the question refers to the past.
Don't they need another copy?
Need is the base form after don't. The subject they determines the auxiliary.
Place a question word before the auxiliary
When you ask for a reason, place why first. Other question words follow the same pattern: question word, negative auxiliary, subject, and main verb.
Why hasn't the package arrived?
Why comes first, followed by hasn't and then the subject the package.
Where didn't you look?
The question asks for a place that the listener did not search. Look remains in the base form after didn't.
Use why don't we for a suggestion
Why don't we plus a base verb is a common way to suggest an action for a group that includes the speaker. It usually sounds cooperative when the people are deciding together.
Why don't we check the address before we leave?
The speaker suggests checking the address. The question is not asking why the group already checks it.
Match the question to the relationship and tone
Negative questions often carry more feeling than plain questions. They can express surprise, concern, or a wish for agreement. They may also sound impatient when the speaker blames the listener. If the topic is sensitive, say what you need directly and neutrally.
Haven't you had a chance to rest today?
In a caring context, this can show concern. With a sharp voice, it could sound like criticism, so the surrounding conversation changes its effect.
Before you go
Remember this
Use a negative question when you expect an answer, react to something unexpected, make a suggestion, or show concern. Put the negative auxiliary before the subject, and keep the main verb in the base form after do, does, or did. Choose a plain question when you want a more neutral tone.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Negative questions: meaning, tone, and word order"
What is a negative question in English?
A negative question includes a negative auxiliary such as don't, isn't, haven't, or didn't. It asks for information while often showing that the speaker expected a different answer or wants the listener to confirm an idea.
Aren't you coming to the meeting this afternoon?
How do I form a negative question?
Put the negative auxiliary before the subject. Use isn't the bus late? with be, and don't you need help? with an ordinary present-tense verb. After don't, doesn't, or didn't, use the base form of the main verb.
Are you coming to the meeting this afternoon?
What is the difference between a negative question and a plain question?
A plain question is usually neutral. A negative question often suggests that the speaker has an expectation. Are you ready? simply asks for information. Aren't you ready? can show surprise, impatience, or concern, depending on the situation and voice.
Why didn't you save the document?
What does why don't we mean?
Why don't we plus a base verb is a common suggestion pattern. It invites the speaker and listener to do something together, as in Why don't we leave after lunch? The meaning is a proposal, not a request for a reason.
Why did you not save the document?
Can negative questions sound rude?
They can sound critical when they point to something the listener failed to do, especially in an argument or message without a warm tone. Use a neutral question when you only need information. Add a clear reason when you want to show concern rather than blame.
Haven't they finished the report yet?