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English grammar

Negative, echo and rhetorical questions

C1 · Advanced Asking questions Questions 10

The rule

Questions do more than ask for information. A negative question shows surprise or invites agreement: Didn’t you know? (I am surprised you didn’t), Isn’t it beautiful? (surely you agree), Haven’t we met before?. The answer follows the facts, not the form of the question: Didn’t you go? — Yes, I did (I went) / No, I didn’t. In formal speech the negative can follow the subject: Do you not think…?. An echo question repeats part of what was said, keeping statement order, to show surprise or to check: She’s moving where?, You paid how much?. A rhetorical question expects no answer and makes a point: Who cares?, What’s the point?, How should I know?, Why would anyone do that?. Why not…? and Why don’t you…? suggest; Why bother? dismisses an effort as useless.

Pattern

negative question: Didn’t you …? / Isn’t it …? (surprise, agreement) · formal: Do you not …? · answer the facts: Yes, I did / No, I didn’t · echo question: statement order + wh-word: You did what? · rhetorical: Who cares? · What’s the point? · How should I know? · Why not + verb?

Examples

  1. Didn’t you get my message? I sent it this morning.

  2. “He sold the house.” — “He sold what?”

  3. Why would anyone pay that much for a sandwich?

  4. Isn’t it a lovely view from up here?

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: “Didn’t you see it?” — “Yes, I didn’t.”

    Right: “Didn’t you see it?” — “No, I didn’t.”

    Answer the facts: No, I didn’t.

  • Wrong: Doesn’t she speaks French?

    Right: Doesn’t she speak French?

    After doesn’t, the base form.

  • Wrong: Where she is moving?

    Right: Where is she moving?

    A normal question inverts; only an echo question keeps statement order (She’s moving where?).

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the speaker feel?

    Didn’t you lock the door?

    1. Unsure what a door is
    2. Surprised that it seems unlocked
    3. Pleased that it is locked
    4. Angry at the neighbours
    Show answer

    Answer: B Surprised that it seems unlocked

    A negative question often shows surprise.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What is the right answer if you did lock it?

    “Didn’t you lock the door?”

    1. No, I did.
    2. Yes, I did.
    3. Yes, I didn’t.
    4. No, I didn’t lock it yes.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Yes, I did.

    Answer the fact: you did lock it — Yes, I did.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Is not it a beautiful day?
    2. Isn’t it being a beautiful day?
    3. Isn’t it a beautiful day?
    4. Isn’t a beautiful day it?
    Show answer

    Answer: C Isn’t it a beautiful day?

    A negative question inviting agreement.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    “I’m quitting my job.” — “You’re doing _____?”

    1. why
    2. that
    3. what
    4. which
    Show answer

    Answer: C “I’m quitting my job.” — “You’re doing what?”

    An echo question replaces the surprising part with what.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    What is the speaker doing?

    Who cares what they think?

    1. Asking for a list of names
    2. Offering help
    3. Making a point, not asking
    4. Asking about the weather
    Show answer

    Answer: C Making a point, not asking

    A rhetorical question makes a point.

  6. 6This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Doesn’t she works on Fridays?

    1. Isn’t she work on Fridays?
    2. Doesn’t she work on Fridays?
    3. Don’t she work on Fridays?
    4. Doesn’t she working on Fridays?
    Show answer

    Answer: B Doesn’t she work on Fridays?

    After doesn’t, the base form.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    Haven’t we met somewhere before

    Show answer

    Answer: Haven’t we met somewhere before?

    A negative question that expects yes.

  8. 8Change the sentence.

    Turn it into a negative question.

    Surely you remember me?

    1. Remember not you me?
    2. Aren’t you remember me?
    3. Don’t you remember me?
    4. Do you not remembering me?
    Show answer

    Answer: C Don’t you remember me?

    Don’t you + base form.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    Which question is rhetorical?

    Four questions about a late bus.

    1. Which number goes to the station?
    2. What time does the next bus leave?
    3. How much is a single ticket?
    4. What’s the point of waiting any longer?
    Show answer

    Answer: D What’s the point of waiting any longer?

    What’s the point…? expects no answer.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Why don’t you take a few days off?
    2. Why don’t take you a few days off?
    3. Why you don’t take a few days off?
    4. Why not you take a few days off?
    Show answer

    Answer: A Why don’t you take a few days off?

    Why don’t you…? makes a suggestion.

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