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Using negative question forms for confirmation, surprise and politeness.
Practice: build the sentences →A negative question combines interrogative structure with negation and can ask about whether a negative proposition is true.
For example, Isn't she ready? asks about the proposition that she is not ready while often implying an expectation about the answer.
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
The negative question asks about the proposition that she is not ready.
Don't you know him?
Разве ты его не знаешь?
The negative question combines interrogative structure with negation.
Didn't they call?
Разве они не позвонили?
The negative question asks about the negative proposition.
Can't you stay?
Разве ты не можешь остаться?
The negative question uses the modal "can" with "not".
Haven't we met before?
Разве мы не встречались раньше?
The negative question often implies an expectation about the answer.
Negation in a question normally places not after the auxiliary or modal, either as a full form or contraction.
For example, Is she not ready? and Isn't she ready?
Is she not ready?
Разве она не готова?
The full form places "not" after the auxiliary "is".
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
The contracted form "isn't" is common in speech.
Are they not coming?
Разве они не идут?
The full negative form follows the auxiliary "are".
Aren't they coming?
Разве они не идут?
The contracted form "aren't" is more common.
Can you not hear me?
Разве ты меня не слышишь?
The full form "not" follows the modal "can".
When a simple lexical verb requires do-support, the negative question uses do, does, or did plus not.
For example, Don't you know?, Doesn't she work here?, and Didn't they call?
Don't you know?
Разве ты не знаешь?
The negative question uses "don't" with the base verb "know".
Doesn't she work here?
Разве она здесь не работает?
The negative question uses "doesn't" with the base verb "work".
Didn't they call?
Разве они не позвонили?
The negative question uses "didn't" with the base verb "call".
Don't you like coffee?
Разве ты не любишь кофе?
The negative question uses "don't" with the base verb "like".
Didn't he finish the report?
Разве он не закончил отчёт?
The negative question uses "didn't" with the base verb "finish".
When be or a modal is already an auxiliary, negation is formed directly with that auxiliary rather than using do.
For example, Isn't he coming? and Can't you stay?
Isn't he coming?
Разве он не идёт?
The auxiliary "be" forms the negative question directly.
Can't you stay?
Разве ты не можешь остаться?
The modal "can" forms the negative question directly.
Weren't they invited?
Разве их не пригласили?
The auxiliary "be" in past passive forms the negative question.
Shouldn't we leave now?
Разве нам не следует уйти сейчас?
The modal "should" forms the negative question directly.
Hasn't she finished?
Разве она не закончила?
The perfect auxiliary "has" forms the negative question directly.
Contracted negative auxiliaries are common in ordinary spoken English.
Examples include isn't, aren't, doesn't, didn't, haven't, hasn't, won't, and wouldn't.
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
"Isn't" is the contracted form of "is not".
Aren't they coming?
Разве они не идут?
"Aren't" is the contracted form of "are not".
Doesn't she work here?
Разве она здесь не работает?
"Doesn't" is the contracted form of "does not".
Didn't they call?
Разве они не позвонили?
"Didn't" is the contracted form of "did not".
Won't you come?
Разве ты не придёшь?
"Won't" is the contracted form of "will not".
Full forms such as is not and do not can sound more formal, emphatic, or deliberate than contractions.
For example, Do you not understand? is more marked than Don't you understand?
Do you not understand?
Разве вы не понимаете?
The full form "do not" is more formal or emphatic.
Is she not ready?
Разве она не готова?
The full form "is not" is more deliberate.
Have you not received the document?
Разве вы не получили документ?
The full form "have not" is more formal.
Can you not hear me?
Разве вы меня не слышите?
The full form with "can" is more marked.
Did they not call?
Разве они не позвонили?
The full form "did not" is more emphatic.
A negative question can indicate that the speaker expected a particular event or situation to be true.
For example, Isn't John coming? can suggest that the speaker expected John to come.
Isn't John coming?
Разве Джон не идёт?
The speaker expected John to come.
Haven't they arrived yet?
Разве они ещё не приехали?
The speaker expected them to arrive earlier.
Weren't you at the meeting?
Разве вас не было на встрече?
The speaker expected you to be there.
Didn't she get the email?
Разве она не получила письмо?
The speaker expected her to receive the email.
Isn't he supposed to be here?
Разве он не должен быть здесь?
The speaker expected him to be present.
A negative question can express surprise that an expected event has not happened or that an unexpected fact is true.
For example, Didn't you tell him? can express surprise that the listener apparently did not tell him.
Didn't you tell him?
Разве ты ему не сказал?
The question expresses surprise that the listener did not tell him.
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
The question expresses surprise that the task is not done.
Don't you know the answer?
Разве ты не знаешь ответа?
The question expresses surprise at the lack of knowledge.
Aren't you coming with us?
Разве ты не идёшь с нами?
The question expresses surprise at the unexpected decision.
Weren't you informed?
Разве вас не уведомили?
The question expresses surprise that information was not received.
Negative questions can ask the listener to confirm information that the speaker already suspects or believes.
For example, Haven't we met before?
Haven't we met before?
Разве мы не встречались раньше?
The speaker suspects they have met before.
Didn't you say that?
Разве ты этого не говорил?
The speaker asks for confirmation of what was said.
Isn't she the manager?
Разве она не менеджер?
The speaker asks for confirmation of a suspected role.
Weren't you at the party?
Разве тебя не было на вечеринке?
The speaker asks for confirmation of attendance.
Haven't you read this book?
Разве ты не читал эту книгу?
The speaker asks for confirmation of prior reading.
A negative question can imply that the speaker thinks an expected action should already have happened.
For example, Haven't you finished yet? can express impatience or criticism depending on context.
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
The question implies impatience or criticism.
Didn't you hear what I said?
Разве ты не слышал, что я сказал?
The question implies criticism of inattention.
Don't you ever listen?
Разве ты вообще никогда не слушаешь?
The question criticizes a repeated failure to listen.
Haven't you done that already?
Разве ты уже это не сделал?
The question implies the action should have been completed.
Weren't you supposed to call me?
Разве ты не должен был мне позвонить?
The question implies criticism of an unfulfilled obligation.
A negative question can function as a suggestion rather than a literal request for information.
For example, Why don't we leave now? suggests leaving now.
Why don't we leave now?
Почему бы нам не уйти сейчас?
The negative question functions as a suggestion.
Why don't you take a break?
Почему бы тебе не сделать перерыв?
The negative question suggests taking a break.
Wouldn't you like to sit down?
Не хотите ли присесть?
The negative question is a polite offer.
Why don't we try again?
Почему бы нам не попробовать снова?
The negative question suggests another attempt.
Couldn't we meet tomorrow instead?
Не могли бы мы встретиться завтра вместо этого?
The negative question makes an alternative suggestion.
Why don't we + base verb is a common way to suggest a joint action.
For example, Why don't we take a taxi?
Why don't we take a taxi?
Почему бы нам не взять такси?
"Why don't we" suggests a joint action.
Why don't we go for a walk?
Почему бы нам не пойти прогуляться?
"Why don't we" suggests a shared activity.
Why don't we start now?
Почему бы нам не начать сейчас?
"Why don't we" suggests starting immediately.
Why don't we ask for help?
Почему бы нам не попросить помощи?
"Why don't we" suggests a joint decision.
Why don't we wait a bit longer?
Почему бы нам не подождать ещё немного?
"Why don't we" suggests patience.
Why don't you + base verb can express advice, encouragement, or criticism depending on context.
For example, Why don't you ask the manager? can be helpful advice, while Why don't you ever listen? can be criticism.
Why don't you ask the manager?
Почему бы тебе не спросить менеджера?
The question can be helpful advice.
Why don't you ever listen?
Почему ты вообще никогда не слушаешь?
The question can be criticism.
Why don't you take a rest?
Почему бы тебе не отдохнуть?
The question can be friendly advice.
Why don't you try again?
Почему бы тебе не попробовать снова?
The question can be encouragement.
Why don't you call her?
Почему бы тебе ей не позвонить?
The question can be practical advice.
Why not + base verb can function as a suggestion or as a question asking for the reason something should not happen.
For example, Why not try again?
Why not try again?
Почему бы не попробовать снова?
"Why not" + base verb makes a suggestion.
Why not ask him?
Почему бы не спросить его?
"Why not" suggests asking him.
Why not go now?
Почему бы не пойти сейчас?
"Why not" suggests going immediately.
Why not take the earlier train?
Почему бы не сесть на более ранний поезд?
"Why not" proposes an alternative.
Why not wait until tomorrow?
Почему бы не подождать до завтра?
"Why not" suggests postponing.
Yet commonly occurs in negative questions when asking whether an expected event has happened by the present time.
For example, Haven't they arrived yet?
Haven't they arrived yet?
Разве они ещё не приехали?
"Yet" asks whether the expected arrival has happened.
Hasn't she finished yet?
Разве она ещё не закончила?
"Yet" asks about completion up to now.
Haven't you eaten yet?
Разве ты ещё не ел?
"Yet" asks about an expected action.
Hasn't he called yet?
Разве он ещё не позвонил?
"Yet" asks whether the expected call has occurred.
Haven't they told you yet?
Разве они тебе ещё не сказали?
"Yet" asks about expected information.
Already can occur in negative questions when the speaker is surprised or checks whether an expected event has happened.
For example, Haven't they finished already?
Haven't they finished already?
Разве они уже не закончили?
"Already" expresses surprise at the expected completion.
Hasn't she arrived already?
Разве она уже не приехала?
"Already" checks whether an event has happened earlier than expected.
Didn't you already know that?
Разве ты уже этого не знал?
"Already" expresses surprise at missing information.
Haven't you already seen this film?
Разве ты уже не видел этот фильм?
"Already" checks prior experience.
Hasn't he already left?
Разве он уже не ушёл?
"Already" expresses surprise at the timing.
Never can occur in questions to ask about whether something has happened at any time, often with an implication of surprise.
For example, Haven't you ever been there?
Haven't you ever been there?
Разве ты никогда там не был?
"Ever" with negative question asks about experience.
Hasn't she ever called you?
Разве она никогда тебе не звонила?
"Ever" asks whether the event has occurred at any time.
Don't you ever take a holiday?
Разве ты никогда не берёшь отпуск?
The question implies surprise at the habit.
Didn't they ever tell you?
Разве они никогда тебе не говорили?
"Ever" asks about past experience.
Haven't you ever wondered about it?
Разве ты никогда об этом не задумывался?
"Ever" asks about a possible mental experience.
Negative or near-negative adverbs such as hardly, scarcely, rarely, and seldom can interact with question polarity.
For example, Hardly anyone came, did they? and Rarely does he complain, does he?
Hardly anyone came, did they?
Почти никто не пришёл, не так ли?
"Hardly anyone" is negative in meaning, so the tag is positive.
Rarely does he complain, does he?
Редко он жалуется, не так ли?
"Rarely" triggers inversion and takes a positive tag.
She hardly ever calls, does she?
Она почти никогда не звонит, не так ли?
"Hardly ever" is negative in meaning.
They scarcely spoke, did they?
Они почти не говорили, не так ли?
"Scarcely" is negative in meaning.
He seldom visits, does he?
Он редко навещает, не так ли?
"Seldom" is negative in meaning and takes a positive tag.
Negative words such as nobody, nothing, and neither already carry negative meaning and therefore require careful interpretation when used in questions.
For example, Didn't nobody call? can have a nonstandard or dialectal interpretation, while Who didn't call? is the ordinary standard construction.
Didn't nobody call?
Разве никто не звонил?
Nonstandard double negative question.
Who didn't call?
Кто не позвонил?
Standard question with "who" and "not".
Didn't nothing happen?
Разве ничего не случилось?
Nonstandard double negative question.
What didn't happen?
Что не случилось?
Standard question with "what" and "not".
Didn't neither of them come?
Разве ни один из них не пришёл?
Nonstandard double negative question.
The position and scope of negation determine which proposition is being questioned.
For example, Didn't John leave? questions whether John left, while Who didn't leave? asks which people failed to leave.
Didn't John leave?
Разве Джон не ушёл?
The question asks whether John left.
Who didn't leave?
Кто не ушёл?
The question asks which people failed to leave.
Didn't she say anything?
Разве она ничего не сказала?
The scope of "not" covers the whole proposition.
What didn't she say?
Чего она не сказала?
The question asks about the specific thing not said.
Didn't they all agree?
Разве они все не согласились?
The question asks about the whole group.
A negative question can target a partially negative proposition rather than the whole situation.
For example, Didn't all the students pass? asks whether it is true that not all students passed.
Didn't all the students pass?
Разве не все студенты сдали?
The question asks whether it is true that not all passed.
Haven't all the tickets been sold?
Разве не все билеты проданы?
The question targets partial rather than total negation.
Didn't everyone agree?
Разве не все согласились?
The question asks whether some did not agree.
Haven't all the applications been received?
Разве не все заявки получены?
The question asks about partial completion.
Didn't all the guests arrive?
Разве не все гости пришли?
The question asks whether some guests failed to arrive.
Not all can occur in questions to ask whether only part of a group satisfies the proposition.
For example, Didn't all the applicants receive the email?
Didn't all the applicants receive the email?
Разве не все кандидаты получили письмо?
The question asks whether only part of the group received the email.
Haven't all the students finished?
Разве не все студенты закончили?
The question asks whether some students have not finished.
Didn't all the guests leave?
Разве не все гости ушли?
The question asks whether some guests stayed.
Haven't all the books been returned?
Разве не все книги возвращены?
The question asks whether some books are still missing.
Didn't all the members vote?
Разве не все члены проголосовали?
The question asks whether some members did not vote.
Answers to negative questions normally indicate whether the underlying proposition is true or false rather than simply agreeing with the negative wording.
For example, Didn't she come? Yes, she did means she came; No, she didn't means she did not come.
Didn't she come? Yes, she did.
Разве она не пришла? Да, пришла.
"Yes" confirms that she came.
Didn't she come? No, she didn't.
Разве она не пришла? Нет, не пришла.
"No" confirms that she did not come.
Haven't you finished? Yes, I have.
Разве ты не закончил? Да, закончил.
"Yes" confirms completion.
Haven't you finished? No, I haven't.
Разве ты не закончил? Нет, не закончил.
"No" confirms non-completion.
Isn't he coming? No, he isn't.
Разве он не идёт? Нет, не идёт.
"No" confirms that he is not coming.
Full answers can be preferable when a negative question makes a simple yes or no potentially confusing.
For example, Didn't you see John? I did see him is clearer than a context-free yes or no.
Didn't you see John? I did see him.
Разве ты не видел Джона? Я его видел.
A full answer avoids ambiguity.
Haven't you finished? I have finished.
Разве ты не закончил? Я закончил.
A full answer is clearer than "yes" or "no".
Didn't they call? They did call.
Разве они не позвонили? Они позвонили.
A full answer removes ambiguity.
Isn't she coming? She isn't coming.
Разве она не идёт? Она не идёт.
A full answer clarifies the negative proposition.
Weren't you there? I wasn't there.
Разве ты там не был? Я там не был.
A full answer avoids confusion.
Negative questions can soften suggestions or invitations, although they can also imply expectation or criticism.
For example, Wouldn't you like to sit down? can be a polite offer.
Wouldn't you like to sit down?
Не хотите ли присесть?
The negative question is a polite offer.
Won't you join us for dinner?
Не присоединитесь ли вы к нам на ужин?
The negative question softens the invitation.
Can't you stay a little longer?
Не можете ли вы остаться ещё немного?
The negative question is a polite request.
Couldn't you help me with this?
Не могли бы вы помочь мне с этим?
The negative question is a polite request.
Wouldn't it be better to wait?
Не было бы лучше подождать?
The negative question softens a suggestion.
A negative question can be rhetorical when the speaker does not genuinely expect an answer.
For example, Isn't it obvious? can emphasize the speaker's belief that the answer is already clear.
Isn't it obvious?
Разве это не очевидно?
The rhetorical question emphasizes the speaker's belief.
Don't you think that's a bit much?
Не кажется ли тебе, что это слишком?
The rhetorical question implies criticism.
Haven't we been through this before?
Разве мы не проходили через это раньше?
The rhetorical question expresses frustration.
Isn't that what I just said?
Разве это не то, что я только что сказал?
The rhetorical question emphasizes a point.
Doesn't it speak for itself?
Разве это не говорит само за себя?
The rhetorical question expects no answer.
Intonation strongly affects whether a negative question sounds like a genuine information request, confirmation request, surprise, or criticism.
For example, Didn't you know? can be neutral, surprised, or critical depending on intonation.
Didn't you know?
Разве ты не знал?
Rising intonation can express surprise.
Didn't you know?
Разве ты не знал?
Falling intonation can express criticism.
Isn't she coming?
Разве она не идёт?
Intonation determines whether the question shows surprise or seeks confirmation.
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
Intonation can express impatience.
Don't you like it?
Разве тебе это не нравится?
Intonation can express genuine interest or surprise.
Formal English may prefer full negative forms and less conversational constructions.
For example, Have you not received the document? is more formal than Haven't you received the document?
Have you not received the document?
Разве вы не получили документ?
The full form "have you not" is more formal.
Haven't you received the document?
Разве вы не получили документ?
The contracted form is more conversational.
Do you not agree?
Разве вы не согласны?
The full form "do you not" is formal.
Is it not obvious?
Разве это не очевидно?
The full form "is it not" is formal and emphatic.
Can you not see the difference?
Разве вы не видите разницы?
The full form with "can" is more formal.
Conversational negative questions frequently carry pragmatic meanings that go beyond their literal logical content.
Speakers use them to express shared assumptions, surprise, criticism, encouragement, and requests for confirmation.
Isn't it a lovely day?
Разве не прекрасный день?
The negative question expresses a shared assumption.
Didn't you hear the news?
Разве ты не слышал новости?
The negative question expresses surprise.
Haven't you done enough?
Разве ты не сделал достаточно?
The negative question implies criticism.
Why don't you come along?
Почему бы тебе не пойти с нами?
The negative question is an invitation.
Won't you stay for tea?
Не останетесь ли вы на чай?
The negative question is a polite invitation.
A negative question asks the listener to respond to a proposition, while a negative statement simply asserts negation.
Compare She isn't coming with Isn't she coming?
She isn't coming.
Она не идёт.
The negative statement asserts negation.
Isn't she coming?
Разве она не идёт?
The negative question asks the listener to respond.
They didn't call.
Они не позвонили.
The negative statement simply asserts negation.
Didn't they call?
Разве они не позвонили?
The negative question asks about the proposition.
He can't swim.
Он не умеет плавать.
The negative statement asserts inability.
A negative question directly asks about a proposition, while a negative tag is attached to a statement to seek confirmation.
Compare Isn't she coming? with She is coming, isn't she?
Isn't she coming?
Разве она не идёт?
The negative question directly asks about a proposition.
She is coming, isn't she?
Она идёт, не так ли?
The negative tag is attached to a statement.
Didn't they call?
Разве они не позвонили?
The negative question asks directly.
They called, didn't they?
Они позвонили, не так ли?
The negative tag seeks confirmation.
Haven't you finished?
Разве ты не закончил?
The negative question directly asks about completion.
Negative questions containing more than one negative element can create ambiguity or nonstandard negative-concord patterns.
For example, Didn't nobody tell you? should not be used in standard formal English when Did nobody tell you? is intended.
Didn't nobody tell you?
Разве тебе никто не сказал?
Nonstandard double negative question.
Did nobody tell you?
Разве тебе никто не сказал?
Standard question with single negation.
Didn't you see nothing?
Разве ты ничего не видел?
Nonstandard double negative question.
Did you see nothing?
Ты ничего не видел?
Standard question with single negation.
Didn't they go nowhere?
Разве они никуда не пошли?
Nonstandard double negative question.
The polarity of a negative question does not determine the truth value of the expected answer.
For example, Isn't he coming? can be answered Yes, he is or No, he isn't depending on the facts.
Isn't he coming? Yes, he is.
Разве он не идёт? Нет, идёт.
"Yes" confirms that he is coming.
Isn't he coming? No, he isn't.
Разве он не идёт? Нет, не идёт.
"No" confirms that he is not coming.
Didn't she call? Yes, she did.
Разве она не позвонила? Да, позвонила.
"Yes" confirms that she called.
Didn't she call? No, she didn't.
Разве она не позвонила? Нет, не позвонила.
"No" confirms that she did not call.
Haven't they arrived? Yes, they have.
Разве они не приехали? Да, приехали.
"Yes" confirms that they have arrived.
Negative modal questions can express advice, obligation, expectation, possibility, or criticism depending on the modal.
For example, Shouldn't we leave? suggests an appropriate action, while Can't you stay? may request or challenge.
Shouldn't we leave?
Разве нам не следует уйти?
The negative modal question suggests an appropriate action.
Can't you stay?
Разве ты не можешь остаться?
The negative modal question may request or challenge.
Wouldn't it be better to wait?
Не было бы лучше подождать?
The negative modal question gives advice.
Mustn't we inform them?
Разве мы не должны их уведомить?
The negative modal question expresses obligation.
Couldn't he have made a mistake?
Разве он не мог ошибиться?
The negative modal question expresses possibility.
Use negative questions according to the intended scope and pragmatic meaning, and interpret answers according to the underlying proposition.
Common mistakes include forming negatives with the wrong auxiliary, adding unnecessary do, misunderstanding yes/no answers, using double negatives, and assuming every negative question expects a negative answer.
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
Correct: use the auxiliary "is" with "not".
Doesn't she be ready?
Разве она не готова?
Incorrect: do not use "do" with "be".
Didn't he go? Yes, he did.
Разве он не пошёл? Да, пошёл.
Correct: "yes" confirms that he went.
Didn't he go? No, he didn't.
Разве он не пошёл? Нет, не пошёл.
Correct: "no" confirms that he did not go.
Didn't nobody call?
Разве никто не позвонил?
Incorrect: avoid double negatives in standard English.