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    Negative Question: English Report

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    تبارك حسين عبد الامير
    This document discusses negative questions in English. It begins by explaining that negative questions require the opposite response than a typical positive question - a "no" response to a negative question indicates an affirmative answer, while a "yes" response indicates a negative answer. It then provides examples of converting statements to negative questions and correcting errors in negative questions. The document also notes that negative questions can cause misunderstandings, so it is better to avoid them or answer as if they were positive questions.

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    Negative Question: English Report

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    تبارك حسين عبد الامير
    393 views6 pages
    This document discusses negative questions in English. It begins by explaining that negative questions require the opposite response than a typical positive question - a "no" response to a negative question indicates an affirmative answer, while a "yes" response indicates a negative answer. It then provides examples of converting statements to negative questions and correcting errors in negative questions. The document also notes that negative questions can cause misunderstandings, so it is better to avoid them or answer as if they were positive questions.

    Original Title

    NEGATIVE QUESTION

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    This document discusses negative questions in English. It begins by explaining that negative questions require the opposite response than a typical positive question - a "no" response to a negative question indicates an affirmative answer, while a "yes" response indicates a negative answer. It then provides examples of converting statements to negative questions and correcting errors in negative questions. The document also notes that negative questions can cause misunderstandings, so it is better to avoid them or answer as if they were positive questions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    393 views6 pages

    Negative Question: English Report

    Uploaded by

    تبارك حسين عبد الامير
    This document discusses negative questions in English. It begins by explaining that negative questions require the opposite response than a typical positive question - a "no" response to a negative question indicates an affirmative answer, while a "yes" response indicates a negative answer. It then provides examples of converting statements to negative questions and correcting errors in negative questions. The document also notes that negative questions can cause misunderstandings, so it is better to avoid them or answer as if they were positive questions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 6
    At a glance
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    The key takeaways are that a negative question requires the opposite response from a positive question (yes for no and vice versa) and they can cause misunderstandings so should generally be avoided.

    A negative question is one that is worded to require a 'no' response for an affirmative answer and a 'yes' response for a negative answer, switching the typical yes/no order.

    A negative question can be used to ask for confirmation of something believed to be true or confirmation of a negative belief, expressing surprise that something has not happened.

    ‫‪ENGLISH REPORT‬‬

    ‫‪NEGATIVE QUESTION‬‬

    ‫وزارة التعليم العايل والبحث العلمي‬

    ‫اجلامعت التقنيت اجلنوبيت‬

    ‫الكليت التقنيت اهلنسييت البرةة‬

    ‫قسم ميكانيك احلةارياث‬

    ‫االسم ‪ :‬تبارك حسني عبد االمري‬

    ‫الدكتور املشرف ‪ :‬بسام عبداهلل حممد‬


    1|P ag e

    Introduction

    Negative Questions
    A negative question is one that is worded in such a way as to require a “no” response for an
    affirmative answer and a “yes” response for a negative answer. In other words, negative
    questions switch the “yes/no” response order of regular, or positive, questions to a less
    intuitive “no/yes” order.

    In most cases, you can omit the “no/yes” entirely and simply answer with your
    clarification/explanation. This is generally a good idea when your answer would be “yes,” as
    some native speakers consider the type of response outlined above to be rude. You can also
    answer the question as though it were a positive question, just as many native speakers do. If
    you choose to answer in this manner, a clarification is absolutely essential to avoid a
    potential misunderstanding.

    Because negative questions can create the potential for misunderstandings, it is usually
    better to avoid using them.

    The Definitio Of Negative Question

    Negative questions are most often used when the speaker wants to imply that he or she
    already knows the answer and is looking for affirmation. In the example questions of the
    preceding paragraph, I, the asker, expect a “yes” response. I'd just like you to agree with me.
    2|P ag e

    The rule of negative question

    (Contracted – auxiliary Auxiliary verb + n’t + (Uncontracted – auxiliary (Auxiliary verb + subject
    verb + n’t + subject) subject verb + subject + not) + not)

    Two meanings :

    A negative question can have two different kinds of meanings. It can, for example, be used to
    ask for confirmation of something you believe to be true.

     Didn’t you see Ann yesterday? How is she doing? (= I believe that you saw Ann
    yesterday.)

    You may also express your opinions in a more polite way by changing them into negative
    questions.

     Wouldn’t it be nice to paint that wall green? (More polite than ‘It would be nice to paint
    that wall green.’)

    A negative question can also be used to ask for confirmation of a negative belief. In this case
    the speaker is surprised that something has not happened or is not happening.

     Hasn’t the postman come yet?

    Polite requests, offers, complaints etc

    Pressing offers and invitations often assume the form of negative questions. They usually
    begin Won’t you…? Wouldn’t you…? or Why don’t you…?

     Wouldn’t you like something to drink?


     Why don’t you come and spend the evening with us?
    3|P ag e

    *Convert the following negative statements into negative questions using the appropriate
    tense.

    1. Robert does not eat meat.


    2. The investigator didn’t understand the reports.
    3. Many people won’t give us money for our charity.
    4. That doesn’t look right.

    1. Does Robert not eat meat?


    2. Didn’t the investigator understand the reports?
    3. Won’t many people give you money for your charity?
    4. Doesn’t that look right?

     Find the mistakes


    1. Does you not like bag pipes?
    2. Did the council not removed our rubbish this week?
    3. Dosn’t Simon qualify for a new license last week?

    Answers :

    1. Do you not like bagpipes?


    2. Did the council not remove our rubbish this week?
    3. Didn’t Simon qualify for a new license?
    4|P ag e

    The following is an example of a negative question:

    Would you mind driving me to my class at the English Island on Tuesday?

    For this negative question, a “no” answer would indicate that the person being asked the
    question would be able and/or willing to drive the person asking the question. A “yes” answer
    would mean that the askee is unable/unwilling to drive the asker.

    Native English speakers frequently answer negative questions with positive answers.
    Likewise, many are used to receiving positive responses to negative questions. Because of
    this, you should always follow your “no/yes” answer with a clarification or explanation of
    your answer:

    No, I don’t mind driving you.


    Yes, I do mind. I have an appointment at that same time.

    In most cases, you can omit the “no/yes” entirely and simply answer with your
    clarification/explanation. This is generally a good idea when your answer would be “yes,” as
    some native speakers consider the type of response outlined above to be rude:
    I don’t mind driving you.
    Sorry, I have an appointment at that same time.
    You can also answer the question as though it were a positive question, just as many native
    speakers do. If you choose to answer in this manner, a clarification is absolutely essential to
    avoid a potential misunderstanding:
    Sure! I’d be glad to drive you .
    Sorry, I can’t drive you. I have a doctor’s appointment.
    Because negative questions can create the potential for misunderstandings, it is usually better
    to avoid using them. Here are some common negative questions and positive versions of
    those same questions:
    Negative: Aren’t you going to English class tomorrow?
    Positive: Are you going to English class tomorrow?

    Negative: Doesn’t she know that the report is due today?


    Positive: Does she know that the report is due today?

    Negative: Do you mind if I drink the last can of Coke?


    Positive: May I drink the last can of Coke?
    5|P ag e

    Negative: Didn’t you wash the dishes yesterday?


    Positive: Did you wash the dishes yesterday?

    Doesn’t he like
    Yes, he does. No, he doesn’t.
    chocolate?

    The References
    ELB Readers Group
    https://www.englishgrammar.org/negative-questions/

    https://www.englishgrammar.org/negative-
    questions/#:~:text=Uncontracted%20negative%20questions%20a
    re%20usually%20used%20in%20a%20formal%20style.&text=A
    %20negative%20question%20can%20have,you%20believe%20to%
    20be%20true.

    https://englishlessonsbrighton.co.uk/negative-simple-questions-
    exercise/

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