A7.3 Combinations of negatives and interrogatives - A7 Varying the verb phrase - Section A. Introduction

English grammar - Roger Berry 2012

A7.3 Combinations of negatives and interrogatives
A7 Varying the verb phrase
Section A. Introduction

It is, of course, possible to have both a negative and an interrogative in the same sentence. However, there are two ways of doing it:

1. Invert only the auxiliary with the subject; keep not after the subject.

Can you not wait? Do you not know her?

This is formal.

2. Invert both auxiliary and not with the subject; this only happens if not is contracted.

Can’ t you wait? Don’t you know her?

This is far more common, particularly in spoken English.

There is one irregular contracted negative/interrogative form: Aren’t I . . . (along­side Am I not . . . ).

We can show how negatives, interrogatives and contractions systematically interact in the form of a diagram:

Figure A7.3.1 Interaction of negatives, interrogatives and contractions

This shows that interrogative inversion does not operate on auxiliary contraction. The dotted line indicates that contraction is bypassed.

Activity A7.3

Take the sentence She is coming and process it in the same way.