negative auxiliary + subject + complement + ?With be, the negative auxiliary comes first: Isn't it ready? Aren't they late?
Negative Questions
B2Negative questions start with a negative auxiliary: Isn't it...?, Didn't she...?. Use them for surprise, emphasis, or to check something you expect is true.
What you'll learn
- Build negative questions with the auxiliary before the subject.
- Keep the main verb in the base form after didn't.
- Use negative questions to show surprise or check an expectation.
- Recognize common contracted patterns like isn't it and didn't she.
Structure
Didn't + subject + base verb + object + ?After didn't, use the base verb, not the past form: Didn't she call?
Build a sentence
Subject
Predicate
Isn'titready?
Isn't it ready?
Use isn't before the subject with it.
When to use
Surprise
Use a negative question when the fact feels unexpected. Didn't Tom lock the door? means the speaker thought he did.
Checking expectation
Use it to check something you believe is true. Isn't this the right platform? The speaker expects the answer yes.
Emphasis
Use a negative question to make a point more strongly: Isn't that exactly what Maria said?
Markers
isn't itaren't youdidn't shedoesn't hewon't they
Common mistakes
Wrong
She didn't call you?
Correct
Didn't she call you?
A negative question starts with the auxiliary, not with the subject.
Wrong
Didn't Lisa went home?
Correct
Didn't Lisa go home?
Didn't already marks the past, so the main verb stays in the base form.
Wrong
Didn't nobody tell Maria?
Correct
Didn't anybody tell Maria?
The question is already negative because of didn't. Add another negative word only if you truly want a second negative meaning.
Wrong
Did she not call you?
Correct
Didn't she call you?
The full form is possible, but the common direct pattern is the contracted negative auxiliary first.
Common misconceptions
❝ Negative questions are always rude or aggressive. ❞
They often show surprise, expectation, or friendly emphasis. Tone and context decide whether they sound sharp or natural.
❝ A negative question means exactly the same as a regular yes/no question. ❞
The basic fact may be the same, but a negative question adds the speaker's expectation, surprise, or stronger attitude.
Skills in this rule (5)
FORM_ISNT_ARENT_DIDNTw5Build negative questions with the contracted auxiliary first
Use a negative auxiliary before the subject: Isn't it...?, Aren't they...?, Didn't she...?. This pattern is common in speaking and direct questions.
KEEP_BASE_VERB_AFTER_DIDNTw5Keep the main verb in the base form after didn't
After didn't, the main verb stays bare: Didn't Tom call? not Didn't Tom called? The past meaning is already inside didn't.
USE_FOR_SURPRISE_OR_EXPECTATIONw4Use negative questions to show surprise or check an expectation
Use negative questions when something seems surprising, obvious, or expected: Isn't it obvious? Didn't Anna text you? The speaker expects the answer to be yes or thinks the fact is true.
PICK_COMMON_CONTRACTED_PATTERNSw3Recognize common contracted negative question patterns
Common patterns include isn't it, aren't you, didn't she, doesn't he, won't they. These forms are short, natural, and frequent in conversation.
AVOID_DOUBLE_NEGATIVE_QUESTION_MARKINGw4Avoid adding extra negative words inside a negative question
A negative question already has the negative meaning in the auxiliary. Do not add another negative word unless you truly mean two separate negatives.