Negative questions are questions that contain a negative word such as don't, doesn't, didn't, isn't, aren't, haven't, or can't. They are very common in everyday English.
Negative questions can have several purposes. They can be used to make suggestions, check information, express surprise, show expectations, or ask for agreement.
We commonly use Why don't you + base verb to suggest an action. Although the question contains don't, it usually means “I suggest that you...”
Why don't you take a taxi? usually means: I suggest that you take a taxi.
We use Why don't we + base verb when the speaker suggests doing something together.
You should do it.
Why don't you call John?
You and I should do it.
Why don't we call John?
Don't you + base verb is commonly used to check information. The speaker usually thinks the answer is probably yes.
Don't you live in Los Angeles? means that the speaker thinks you probably live in Los Angeles and wants to confirm it.
Negative questions can also express surprise when the speaker expected a different answer.
A: I'm not coming to the party.
B: Don't you want to come?
Here, B is surprised because B expected A to want to come.
A positive question is usually more neutral. A negative question often shows that the speaker already has an expectation.
| Positive Question | Negative Question | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Do you like coffee? | Don't you like coffee? | The negative question suggests I expected you to like coffee. |
| Do you have a car? | Don't you have a car? | The negative question suggests I thought you had a car. |
| Are you tired? | Aren't you tired? | The negative question suggests I expected you to be tired. |
| Did you call Sarah? | Didn't you call Sarah? | The negative question suggests I thought you called Sarah. |
We use Didn't you + base verb to check something that happened in the past.
Didn't you meet John last week? means the speaker thought that you met John and wants to confirm it.
The same Didn't + subject + base verb...? pattern is also used when the speaker expected the other person to have noticed, known, or done something — and is surprised, frustrated, or even criticizing them for not doing it.
A: Why did you drive through the intersection?
B: I didn't see the sign.
A: Didn't you see the stop sign?
Here, A is not simply asking for information. A is implying:
| Question | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Did you see the stop sign? | Neutral question — I don't know whether you saw it. |
| Didn't you see the stop sign? | I expected you to see it / I'm surprised you didn't see it. |
With the verb be, we use Aren't you...? Negative questions with be often express an expectation or surprise.
We use Haven't you + past participle when we expected something to have happened already.
Haven't you finished your homework? suggests that the speaker expected the homework to be finished already.
| Pattern | Example | Common Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Why don't you...? | Why don't you sit down? | Suggestion |
| Why don't we...? | Why don't we order pizza? | Suggestion together |
| Don't you...? | Don't you know him? | Confirmation / surprise |
| Didn't you...? | Didn't you call her? | Past confirmation |
| Didn't you...? | Didn't you see the stop sign? | Surprise / frustration / criticism |
| Aren't you...? | Aren't you hungry? | Expectation / surprise |
| Isn't it...? | Isn't it beautiful? | Agreement / confirmation |
| Haven't you...? | Haven't you finished? | Expectation |
| Can't you...? | Can't you help me? | Request / complaint |
| Won't you...? | Won't you come in? | Invitation / request |
→ Usually a suggestion
Why don't you get some rest?
= I think you should get some rest.
→ Usually confirmation or surprise
Don't you want to get some rest?
= I thought you wanted to get some rest.
Choose the best negative question for each situation.