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Using negative question forms in different contexts.
Practice: build the sentences →Negative questions combine question structure with grammatical negation and can ask for information, confirmation, or a reaction.
For example, Isn't she ready? and Didn't you call him? can have different meanings depending on context and intonation.
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
"Isn't" is a negative question form asking for confirmation.
Didn't you call him?
Разве ты ему не звонил?
"Didn't" introduces a negative question about a past action.
Don't you like coffee?
Разве ты не любишь кофе?
"Don't" forms a negative question about a preference.
Can't you stay?
Разве ты не можешь остаться?
"Can't" is a negative modal question asking about ability.
Haven't you finished?
Разве ты не закончил?
"Haven't" is a negative perfect question about completion.
Won't you come?
Разве ты не придёшь?
"Won't" is a negative future question.
Aren't they invited?
Разве они не приглашены?
"Aren't" is a negative be question about a state.
Why didn't she come?
Почему она не пришла?
"Didn't" forms a negative wh-question about a past event.
Negative questions with be normally place the negative auxiliary before the subject when using a contraction.
For example, Isn't she ready? and Weren't they invited?
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
"Isn't" places the negative form of "be" before the subject.
Weren't they invited?
Разве они не были приглашены?
"Weren't" places the negative form of "be" before the subject.
Isn't it cold?
Разве не холодно?
"Isn't" is the contracted negative form of "is not".
Aren't you tired?
Разве ты не устал?
"Aren't" is the contracted negative form of "are not".
Wasn't he late?
Разве он не опоздал?
"Wasn't" is the contracted negative form of "was not".
Isn't this yours?
Разве это не твоё?
"Isn't" precedes the demonstrative subject "this".
Weren't you at home?
Разве тебя не было дома?
"Weren't" places the negative be before "you".
Isn't she working?
Разве она не работает?
"Isn't" is used in a negative progressive question.
Negative questions with ordinary lexical verbs use don't, doesn't, or didn't before the subject.
For example, Don't you know? Doesn't she work here? and Didn't they arrive?
Don't you know?
Разве ты не знаешь?
"Don't" is used before the subject in a present simple question.
Doesn't she work here?
Разве она здесь не работает?
"Doesn't" is used before the subject in a present simple question.
Didn't they arrive?
Разве они не прибыли?
"Didn't" is used before the subject in a past simple question.
Don't you like it?
Разве тебе это не нравится?
"Don't" is used before the subject in a present simple question.
Doesn't he live here?
Разве он здесь не живёт?
"Doesn't" is used before the subject in a present simple question.
Didn't she call you?
Разве она тебе не звонила?
"Didn't" is used before the subject in a past simple question.
Don't we need tickets?
Разве нам не нужны билеты?
"Don't" is used before the subject in a present simple question.
Doesn't it work?
Разве это не работает?
"Doesn't" is used before the subject in a present simple question.
Negative questions with modal verbs normally place the contracted negative modal before the subject.
For example, Can't you stay? Shouldn't we leave? and Wouldn't they agree?
Can't you stay?
Разве ты не можешь остаться?
"Can't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Shouldn't we leave?
Разве нам не следует уйти?
"Shouldn't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Wouldn't they agree?
Разве они не согласились бы?
"Wouldn't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Won't you come?
Разве ты не придёшь?
"Won't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Couldn't she help?
Разве она не могла бы помочь?
"Couldn't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Mustn't we go?
Разве мы не должны идти?
"Mustn't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Can't he swim?
Разве он не умеет плавать?
"Can't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Shouldn't it be ready?
Разве оно не должно быть готово?
"Shouldn't" places the negative modal before the subject.
Negative questions in perfect constructions place the negative form of have before the subject.
For example, Haven't you finished? and Hadn't they already left?
Haven't you finished?
Разве ты не закончил?
"Haven't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Hadn't they already left?
Разве они уже не ушли?
"Hadn't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Hasn't she arrived?
Разве она не прибыла?
"Hasn't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Haven't they told you?
Разве они тебе не сказали?
"Haven't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Hadn't he seen it before?
Разве он не видел этого раньше?
"Hadn't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Hasn't it stopped raining?
Разве дождь не прекратился?
"Hasn't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Haven't we met before?
Разве мы не встречались раньше?
"Haven't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Hadn't you heard the news?
Разве ты не слышал новость?
"Hadn't" places the negative auxiliary before the subject.
Negative questions in progressive constructions place the negative form of be before the subject.
For example, Isn't she working? and Weren't they waiting for us?
Isn't she working?
Разве она не работает?
"Isn't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Weren't they waiting for us?
Разве они не ждали нас?
"Weren't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Aren't you listening?
Разве ты не слушаешь?
"Aren't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Wasn't he sleeping?
Разве он не спал?
"Wasn't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Isn't it raining?
Разве не идёт дождь?
"Isn't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Weren't you working?
Разве ты не работал?
"Weren't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Aren't they coming?
Разве они не идут?
"Aren't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Wasn't she crying?
Разве она не плакала?
"Wasn't" places the negative progressive auxiliary before the subject.
Negative future questions commonly use won't before the subject.
For example, Won't you come with us? and Won't they be surprised?
Won't you come with us?
Разве ты не пойдёшь с нами?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't they be surprised?
Разве они не будут удивлены?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't she help us?
Разве она не поможет нам?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't it be cold?
Разве не будет холодно?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't you stay?
Разве ты не останешься?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't they arrive soon?
Разве они не прибудут скоро?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't he call?
Разве он не позвонит?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Won't we need more time?
Разве нам не понадобится больше времени?
"Won't" is a negative future auxiliary before the subject.
Full forms such as is not, do not, and have not can be used in negative questions, often sounding more formal, emphatic, or deliberate.
For example, Do you not understand? and Have you not received the message?
Do you not understand?
Разве вы не понимаете?
"Do you not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Have you not received the message?
Разве вы не получили сообщение?
"Have you not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Is she not ready?
Разве она не готова?
"Is she not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Did they not arrive?
Разве они не прибыли?
"Did they not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Can you not stay?
Разве вы не можете остаться?
"Can you not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Will they not come?
Разве они не придут?
"Will they not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Has he not finished?
Разве он не закончил?
"Has he not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Are they not invited?
Разве они не приглашены?
"Are they not" is a full negative form, more formal or emphatic.
Contracted negative forms are common in ordinary speech, while full negative forms can create additional emphasis or formal effect.
For example, Don't you agree? is ordinary, while Do you not agree? is more formal or marked.
Don't you agree?
Разве ты не согласен?
"Don't" is an ordinary contracted negative form.
Do you not agree?
Разве вы не согласны?
"Do you not" is more formal or marked than "Don't".
Isn't she coming?
Разве она не идёт?
"Isn't" is an ordinary contracted negative form.
Is she not coming?
Разве она не идёт?
"Is she not" is more formal or marked than "Isn't".
Haven't you finished?
Разве ты не закончил?
"Haven't" is an ordinary contracted negative form.
Have you not finished?
Разве вы не закончили?
"Have you not" is more formal or marked than "Haven't".
Can't you help?
Разве ты не можешь помочь?
"Can't" is an ordinary contracted negative form.
Can you not help?
Разве вы не можете помочь?
"Can you not" is more formal or marked than "Can't".
A negative question can ask for confirmation when the speaker expects or suspects that the answer is yes.
For example, Haven't we met before? suggests that the speaker thinks a previous meeting probably occurred.
Haven't we met before?
Разве мы не встречались раньше?
Suggests the speaker thinks a previous meeting probably occurred.
Isn't she your sister?
Разве она не твоя сестра?
Suggests the speaker expects a positive answer.
Didn't you already know?
Разве ты уже не знал?
Suggests the speaker thinks you likely knew.
Haven't you heard?
Разве ты не слышал?
Suggests the speaker expects that you have heard.
Aren't you coming with us?
Разве ты не идёшь с нами?
Suggests the speaker expects you to come.
Wasn't he at the party?
Разве его не было на вечеринке?
Suggests the speaker thought he was there.
Don't you remember me?
Разве ты меня не помнишь?
Suggests the speaker expects you to remember.
Hasn't she already left?
Разве она уже не ушла?
Suggests the speaker expects she has left.
A negative question can express surprise that something has not happened or that an unexpected situation is true.
For example, Didn't you tell Sarah? can express surprise that Sarah was apparently not told.
Didn't you tell Sarah?
Разве ты не сказал Саре?
Expresses surprise that Sarah was apparently not told.
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
Expresses surprise that the task is not finished.
Isn't he coming?
Разве он не идёт?
Expresses surprise that he might not be coming.
Didn't they arrive?
Разве они не прибыли?
Expresses surprise that they have not arrived.
Can't you see it?
Разве ты не видишь этого?
Expresses surprise at not seeing something obvious.
Weren't you at the meeting?
Разве тебя не было на собрании?
Expresses surprise that you were not at the meeting.
Hasn't she called?
Разве она не позвонила?
Expresses surprise that she has not called.
Don't you like it?
Разве тебе это не нравится?
Expresses surprise at your possible dislike.
A negative question can show that the speaker expected the answer to be negative or positive depending on the context.
For example, Isn't John coming? may express that the speaker expected John to come.
Isn't John coming?
Разве Джон не идёт?
Suggests the speaker expected John to come.
Didn't she call you?
Разве она тебе не звонила?
Suggests the speaker expected her to call.
Haven't they arrived?
Разве они не прибыли?
Suggests the speaker expected them to arrive.
Won't you stay?
Разве ты не останешься?
Suggests the speaker expected you to stay.
Can't he help?
Разве он не может помочь?
Suggests the speaker expected him to help.
Aren't you ready?
Разве ты не готов?
Suggests the speaker expected you to be ready.
Doesn't she know?
Разве она не знает?
Suggests the speaker expected her to know.
Hasn't he finished?
Разве он не закончил?
Suggests the speaker expected him to finish.
Negative questions can express criticism or dissatisfaction when the speaker believes an expected action should have occurred.
For example, Haven't you finished yet? can imply that the speaker expected the task to be finished already.
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
Implies the speaker expected the task to be finished already.
Didn't you call him?
Разве ты ему не звонил?
Implies the speaker expected you to call.
Weren't you supposed to be here?
Разве ты не должен был быть здесь?
Implies criticism that you were not here.
Haven't you told her?
Разве ты ей не сказал?
Implies the speaker expected you to tell her.
Isn't it ready?
Разве это не готово?
Implies the speaker expected it to be ready.
Didn't they inform you?
Разве они тебя не проинформировали?
Implies the speaker expected them to inform you.
Hasn't he paid?
Разве он не заплатил?
Implies the speaker expected him to pay.
Can't you do it?
Разве ты не можешь это сделать?
Implies criticism that you are not able or willing.
Negative questions can function as suggestions or invitations, especially when the speaker proposes an action that has not yet occurred.
For example, Why don't we go home? is a common way of making a suggestion.
Why don't we go home?
Почему бы нам не пойти домой?
A negative question functioning as a suggestion.
Why don't we take a break?
Почему бы нам не сделать перерыв?
A negative question functioning as a suggestion.
Why don't you sit down?
Почему бы вам не сесть?
A negative question functioning as an invitation or suggestion.
Why don't we start now?
Почему бы нам не начать сейчас?
A negative question functioning as a suggestion.
Why don't you ask John?
Почему бы тебе не спросить Джона?
A negative question functioning as a recommendation.
Why don't we meet tomorrow?
Почему бы нам не встретиться завтра?
A negative question functioning as a suggestion.
Why don't you take a taxi?
Почему бы тебе не взять такси?
A negative question functioning as a suggestion.
Why don't we call her?
Почему бы нам не позвонить ей?
A negative question functioning as a suggestion.
Why don't we + base verb is commonly used to make a suggestion involving the speaker and listener.
For example, Why don't we start now?
Why don't we start now?
Почему бы нам не начать сейчас?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we go for a walk?
Почему бы нам не пойти на прогулку?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we have lunch?
Почему бы нам не пообедать?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we watch a film?
Почему бы нам не посмотреть фильм?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we leave early?
Почему бы нам не уйти рано?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we try again?
Почему бы нам не попробовать снова?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we ask for help?
Почему бы нам не попросить помощи?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't we take the train?
Почему бы нам не поехать на поезде?
"Why don't we" introduces a suggestion involving both speaker and listener.
Why don't you + base verb can make a suggestion, recommendation, or sometimes criticism depending on context and tone.
For example, Why don't you ask John? can be helpful advice, while Why don't you ever listen? can express criticism.
Why don't you ask John?
Почему бы тебе не спросить Джона?
"Why don't you" can be helpful advice.
Why don't you ever listen?
Почему ты никогда не слушаешь?
"Why don't you" can express criticism.
Why don't you take a rest?
Почему бы тебе не отдохнуть?
"Why don't you" can be a suggestion.
Why don't you call her?
Почему бы тебе не позвонить ей?
"Why don't you" can be a recommendation.
Why don't you try again?
Почему бы тебе не попробовать снова?
"Why don't you" can be encouragement.
Why don't you apologize?
Почему бы тебе не извиниться?
"Why don't you" can be advice or criticism.
Why don't you come with us?
Почему бы тебе не пойти с нами?
"Why don't you" can be an invitation.
Why don't you read the instructions?
Почему бы тебе не прочитать инструкции?
"Why don't you" can be a suggestion.
Why not + base verb is a concise way to make a suggestion or ask why an action should not happen.
For example, Why not take a taxi?
Why not take a taxi?
Почему бы не взять такси?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not ask her?
Почему бы не спросить её?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not go now?
Почему бы не пойти сейчас?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not try it?
Почему бы не попробовать?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not stay here?
Почему бы не остаться здесь?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not call him?
Почему бы не позвонить ему?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not take a break?
Почему бы не сделать перерыв?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Why not join us?
Почему бы не присоединиться к нам?
"Why not" is a concise way to make a suggestion.
Already can occur in a negative question when the speaker expects or is surprised that something may have happened.
For example, Haven't they finished already?
Haven't they finished already?
Разве они уже не закончили?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Hasn't she left already?
Разве она уже не ушла?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Didn't you already know?
Разве ты уже не знал?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Isn't it already too late?
Разве уже не слишком поздно?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Haven't you already seen it?
Разве ты уже не видел этого?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Weren't they already there?
Разве они уже не были там?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Hasn't he already paid?
Разве он уже не заплатил?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Didn't she already tell you?
Разве она уже не сказала тебе?
"Already" in a negative question expresses surprise or expectation.
Yet commonly occurs in negative questions to ask whether an expected event has happened by the present time.
For example, Haven't you finished yet?
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Hasn't she arrived yet?
Разве она ещё не прибыла?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Didn't they call yet?
Разве они ещё не позвонили?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Isn't it ready yet?
Разве это ещё не готово?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Haven't they told you yet?
Разве они ещё не сказали тебе?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Hasn't he called yet?
Разве он ещё не позвонил?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Didn't you see it yet?
Разве ты ещё не видел этого?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Aren't they here yet?
Разве их ещё нет здесь?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened by now.
Ever and never can combine with negative questions to express expectation, surprise, or emphasis about experience.
For example, Haven't you ever been there? can express surprise that the person may have no such experience.
Haven't you ever been there?
Разве ты никогда там не был?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Hasn't she ever called you?
Разве она никогда тебе не звонила?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Didn't you ever meet him?
Разве ты никогда его не встречал?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Haven't they ever visited?
Разве они никогда не приезжали?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Hasn't he ever apologized?
Разве он никогда не извинялся?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Didn't she ever tell you?
Разве она никогда тебе не говорила?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Haven't you ever seen it?
Разве ты никогда этого не видел?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Hasn't it ever worked?
Разве это никогда не работало?
"Ever" in a negative question expresses surprise about experience.
Wh-questions can also be negative when the speaker wants to ask about a negative proposition.
For example, Why didn't she come? and Why hasn't he called?
Why didn't she come?
Почему она не пришла?
A negative wh-question about a past event.
Why hasn't he called?
Почему он не позвонил?
A negative wh-question about a past event.
Why don't you like it?
Почему тебе это не нравится?
A negative wh-question about a present state.
Why isn't she here?
Почему её здесь нет?
A negative wh-question about a present state.
Why didn't they tell us?
Почему они нам не сказали?
A negative wh-question about a past event.
Why can't you come?
Почему ты не можешь прийти?
A negative wh-question about ability.
Why won't he help?
Почему он не поможет?
A negative wh-question about willingness.
Why doesn't it work?
Почему это не работает?
A negative wh-question about a present state.
Negative questions can combine interrogative words with negative auxiliaries to ask about missing actions, people, or things.
For example, Who didn't come? and What didn't you understand?
Who didn't come?
Кто не пришёл?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What didn't you understand?
Что ты не понял?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "didn't".
Who didn't call?
Кто не позвонил?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What didn't she say?
Что она не сказала?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "didn't".
Who hasn't finished?
Кто не закончил?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What haven't they told us?
Что они нам не сказали?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "haven't".
Who isn't coming?
Кто не идёт?
"Who" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
What isn't working?
Что не работает?
"What" is the subject; no inversion occurs.
The grammatical role of the wh-word still determines question structure even when the question is negative.
Compare Who didn't call? with Who didn't you call?
Who didn't call?
Кто не позвонил?
"Who" is the subject; no auxiliary inversion occurs.
Who didn't you call?
Кому ты не позвонил?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "didn't you".
Who hasn't arrived?
Кто не прибыл?
"Who" is the subject; no auxiliary inversion occurs.
Who haven't you told?
Кого ты не сказал?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "haven't you".
Who can't come?
Кто не может прийти?
"Who" is the subject; no auxiliary inversion occurs.
Who can't you help?
Кому ты не можешь помочь?
"Who" is the object; inversion occurs with "can't you".
What didn't happen?
Что не случилось?
"What" is the subject; no auxiliary inversion occurs.
What didn't you do?
Что ты не сделал?
"What" is the object; inversion occurs with "didn't you".
Answers to negative questions can be confusing because yes and no refer to whether the proposition in the answer is true rather than simply repeating the polarity of the question.
For example, Didn't he come? Yes, he did means that he came; No, he didn't means that he did not.
Didn't he come? Yes, he did.
Разве он не пришёл? Да, пришёл.
"Yes" confirms that he came, regardless of the negative question.
Didn't he come? No, he didn't.
Разве он не пришёл? Нет, не пришёл.
"No" confirms that he did not come.
Isn't she ready? Yes, she is.
Разве она не готова? Да, готова.
"Yes" confirms that she is ready.
Isn't she ready? No, she isn't.
Разве она не готова? Нет, не готова.
"No" confirms that she is not ready.
Haven't you finished? Yes, I have.
Разве ты не закончил? Да, закончил.
"Yes" confirms that you have finished.
Haven't you finished? No, I haven't.
Разве ты не закончил? Нет, не закончил.
"No" confirms that you have not finished.
Can't you stay? Yes, I can.
Разве ты не можешь остаться? Да, могу.
"Yes" confirms that you can stay.
Can't you stay? No, I can't.
Разве ты не можешь остаться? Нет, не могу.
"No" confirms that you cannot stay.
Because negative questions often imply an expectation, speakers may give fuller answers to avoid ambiguity.
For example, Didn't you see John? Yes, I saw him clearly removes possible uncertainty about what yes refers to.
Didn't you see John? Yes, I saw him.
Разве ты не видел Джона? Да, видел.
A fuller answer clarifies what "yes" refers to.
Didn't you see John? No, I didn't see him.
Разве ты не видел Джона? Нет, не видел.
A fuller answer clarifies what "no" refers to.
Haven't you finished? Yes, I have finished.
Разве ты не закончил? Да, закончил.
A fuller answer removes ambiguity about "yes".
Haven't you finished? No, I haven't finished.
Разве ты не закончил? Нет, не закончил.
A fuller answer removes ambiguity about "no".
Isn't she coming? Yes, she is coming.
Разве она не идёт? Да, идёт.
A fuller answer clarifies the meaning of "yes".
Isn't she coming? No, she isn't coming.
Разве она не идёт? Нет, не идёт.
A fuller answer clarifies the meaning of "no".
Can't you help? Yes, I can help.
Разве ты не можешь помочь? Да, могу.
A fuller answer removes ambiguity about "yes".
Can't you help? No, I can't help.
Разве ты не можешь помочь? Нет, не могу.
A fuller answer removes ambiguity about "no".
Negative questions can occur in expressions that function as requests, warnings, or proposals.
For example, Why don't you sit down? can function as an invitation or suggestion rather than a literal request for an explanation.
Why don't you sit down?
Почему бы вам не сесть?
Functions as an invitation or suggestion, not a literal request for explanation.
Why don't we take a break?
Почему бы нам не сделать перерыв?
Functions as a suggestion.
Why don't you try again?
Почему бы тебе не попробовать снова?
Functions as a suggestion or encouragement.
Why don't we meet later?
Почему бы нам не встретиться позже?
Functions as a suggestion.
Why don't you ask for help?
Почему бы тебе не попросить помощи?
Functions as advice.
Why don't we go for a walk?
Почему бы нам не пойти на прогулку?
Functions as a suggestion.
Why don't you come with us?
Почему бы тебе не пойти с нами?
Functions as an invitation.
Why don't we start now?
Почему бы нам не начать сейчас?
Functions as a suggestion.
Conversational negative questions often carry pragmatic meanings such as surprise, shared expectation, criticism, or encouragement beyond their literal negative proposition.
The intended meaning depends strongly on context, intonation, and what the speaker already believes.
Didn't you know?
Разве ты не знал?
Can express surprise depending on intonation and context.
Haven't you finished yet?
Разве ты ещё не закончил?
Can express criticism or impatience.
Isn't it obvious?
Разве это не очевидно?
Can function rhetorically.
Don't you agree?
Разве ты не согласен?
Seeks agreement or confirmation.
Won't you stay?
Разве ты не останешься?
Can be a hopeful or surprised question.
Can't you help?
Разве ты не можешь помочь?
Can express disappointment or criticism.
Aren't you coming?
Разве ты не идёшь?
Can express surprise or expectation.
Hasn't she told you?
Разве она тебе не сказала?
Can express surprise or shared expectation.
A negative question can sometimes make a request sound softer or less direct, although it can also sound critical depending on context.
For example, Wouldn't you like to sit down? can function as a polite offer.
Wouldn't you like to sit down?
Не хотели бы вы присесть?
Functions as a polite offer.
Couldn't you help me?
Не могли бы вы мне помочь?
Can sound softer or less direct.
Won't you have some tea?
Не выпьете ли вы чаю?
Functions as a polite offer.
Wouldn't it be better to wait?
Не лучше ли было бы подождать?
Can be a polite suggestion.
Can't you stay a little longer?
Не можете ли вы остаться ещё немного?
Can be a polite request.
Shouldn't we ask first?
Не следует ли нам сначала спросить?
Can be a polite suggestion or advice.
Wouldn't you rather go home?
Не предпочли бы вы пойти домой?
Can be a polite suggestion.
Couldn't we meet tomorrow?
Не могли бы мы встретиться завтра?
Can be a polite suggestion.
Negative questions with modal verbs can express expectation, advice, criticism, or uncertainty depending on the modal and context.
For example, Shouldn't we leave now? often suggests that leaving is the appropriate action.
Shouldn't we leave now?
Разве нам не следует уйти сейчас?
Suggests that leaving is the appropriate action.
Mustn't we inform them?
Разве мы не должны их проинформировать?
Suggests obligation or expectation.
Shouldn't he apologize?
Разве он не должен извиниться?
Suggests criticism or expectation.
Mustn't you be tired?
Разве ты не должен быть уставшим?
Expresses expectation or surprise.
Shouldn't it be ready by now?
Разве оно не должно быть готово к настоящему времени?
Expresses expectation or mild criticism.
Mustn't she have known?
Разве она не должна была знать?
Expresses expectation or uncertainty.
Shouldn't we check first?
Разве нам не следует сначала проверить?
Suggests advice.
Mustn't they have arrived?
Разве они не должны были прибыть?
Expresses expectation.
Intonation can distinguish a neutral request for confirmation from surprise, criticism, or rhetorical use in negative questions.
For example, Didn't you know? can be a genuine question or an expression of surprise depending on intonation.
Didn't you know?
Разве ты не знал?
Can be a genuine question or express surprise depending on intonation.
Haven't you finished?
Разве ты не закончил?
Can be neutral or critical depending on intonation.
Isn't it obvious?
Разве это не очевидно?
Can be rhetorical or a genuine question depending on intonation.
Won't you come?
Разве ты не придёшь?
Can be a hopeful question or a surprised reaction.
Can't you see?
Разве ты не видишь?
Can be neutral or express frustration.
Aren't you ready?
Разве ты не готов?
Can be a genuine question or express impatience.
Hasn't she called?
Разве она не позвонила?
Can express surprise or expectation.
Don't you agree?
Разве ты не согласен?
Can seek agreement or express surprise.
Formal writing may prefer full negative forms and less conversational question structures.
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 negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Do you not understand the instructions?
Разве вы не понимаете инструкции?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Is it not obvious?
Разве это не очевидно?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Can you not attend the meeting?
Разве вы не можете присутствовать на собрании?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Will they not inform us?
Разве они не сообщат нам?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Has she not finished?
Разве она не закончила?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Are they not invited?
Разве они не приглашены?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
Should we not wait?
Разве нам не следует подождать?
The full negative form is more formal than the contracted form.
A negative question can function rhetorically when the speaker is not genuinely seeking information but emphasizing a point.
For example, Isn't it obvious? may imply that the answer is already known.
Isn't it obvious?
Разве это не очевидно?
Functions rhetorically; the answer is already known.
Don't you think we should help?
Разве ты не думаешь, что нам следует помочь?
Functions rhetorically to emphasize a point.
Haven't we waited long enough?
Разве мы не ждали достаточно долго?
Functions rhetorically to emphasize impatience.
Can't you see the problem?
Разве ты не видишь проблему?
Functions rhetorically to emphasize obviousness.
Won't you ever learn?
Неужели ты никогда не научишься?
Functions rhetorically to express frustration.
Isn't she the best candidate?
Разве она не лучший кандидат?
Functions rhetorically to seek agreement.
Haven't they done enough?
Разве они не сделали достаточно?
Functions rhetorically to emphasize a point.
Shouldn't we have known better?
Разве нам не следовало знать лучше?
Functions rhetorically to express regret.
Negative questions invite a response or confirmation, while negative statements simply assert that a proposition is false or absent.
Compare She isn't coming with Isn't she coming?
She isn't coming.
Она не идёт.
A negative statement asserts a negative proposition.
Isn't she coming?
Разве она не идёт?
A negative question invites confirmation or reaction.
He doesn't like it.
Ему это не нравится.
A negative statement asserts a negative proposition.
Doesn't he like it?
Разве ему это не нравится?
A negative question invites confirmation or reaction.
They haven't arrived.
Они не прибыли.
A negative statement asserts a negative proposition.
Haven't they arrived?
Разве они не прибыли?
A negative question invites confirmation or reaction.
You can't come.
Ты не можешь прийти.
A negative statement asserts a negative proposition.
Can't you come?
Разве ты не можешь прийти?
A negative question invites confirmation or reaction.
A negative question can strongly imply what answer the speaker expects, but the grammatical question does not force that answer.
For example, Isn't he coming? may suggest that the speaker expects him to come, while the actual answer can still be No.
Isn't he coming?
Разве он не идёт?
May suggest the speaker expects him to come, but the answer can still be "No".
Didn't she call?
Разве она не звонила?
May suggest the speaker expected her to call.
Haven't you finished?
Разве ты не закончил?
May suggest the speaker expected you to finish.
Won't you stay?
Разве ты не останешься?
May suggest the speaker hopes you will stay.
Can't you help?
Разве ты не можешь помочь?
May suggest the speaker expected you to help.
Aren't you ready?
Разве ты не готов?
May suggest the speaker expected you to be ready.
Hasn't she told you?
Разве она тебе не сказала?
May suggest the speaker expected her to tell you.
Doesn't he know?
Разве он не знает?
May suggest the speaker expected him to know.
Form negative questions with the correct auxiliary, negative marker, subject, and lexical verb, while interpreting the pragmatic meaning from context.
Common mistakes include putting not in the wrong position, using the wrong auxiliary, retaining a past form after didn't, confusing negative questions with negative statements, and misunderstanding yes/no answers to negative questions.
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
Correct: negative be is placed before the subject.
Is not she ready?
Разве она не готова?
Incorrect: "not" is in the wrong position.
Don't you know?
Разве ты не знаешь?
Correct: "don't" is placed before the subject.
Do not you know?
Разве ты не знаешь?
Incorrect: "not" is not contracted and placed incorrectly.
Didn't she call?
Разве она не звонила?
Correct: "didn't" is used with the base form of the verb.
Didn't she called?
Разве она не звонила?
Incorrect: past form "called" is used after "didn't".
Isn't he coming?
Разве он не идёт?
Correct: negative be is placed before the subject.
Doesn't he coming?
Разве он не идёт?
Incorrect: "doesn't" is used with a progressive verb.