A negative interrogative sentence in the present indefinite tense is a question that includes negation. It combines the structure of a question with the use of 'not'. These sentences are often used to ask for confirmation, express surprise, imply an expected answer, or make a suggestion.
While the provided reference focuses on the formula for a standard negative sentence, which is subject + do/does + not + verb 1st + object, a negative interrogative sentence has a different structure because it is a question.
Understanding the Difference: Negative vs. Negative Interrogative
It's important to distinguish between negative sentences and negative interrogative sentences.
According to the reference, a negative sentence in the present indefinite tense follows the formula:
Subject + do/does + not + verb 1st + object
Examples from the reference include:
- He does not speak English.
- They do not come late.
- She does not complete her work.
These sentences state that something is not happening.
A negative interrogative sentence, however, asks whether something is not happening.
Formula for Negative Interrogative in Present Indefinite
There are two common structures for negative interrogative sentences in the present indefinite tense:
-
Using 'not' after the subject (more formal):
Do/Does + subject + not + verb (base form) + object? -
Using contracted forms ('Don't'/'Doesn't') at the beginning (more common):
Don't/Doesn't + subject + verb (base form) + object?
Here, 'do' is used with I, you, we, they, and plural subjects. 'Does' is used with he, she, it, and singular subjects. The 'verb (base form)' is the simple form of the verb (e.g., speak, come, complete).
Examples of Negative Interrogative Sentences
Let's look at examples, including how they relate to the negative sentences from the reference:
| Type of Sentence | Structure | Example | Purpose/Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative (Reference) | Subject + do/does + not + verb 1st + object | He does not speak English. | Stating a negative fact. |
| Negative Interrogative | Do/Does + subject + not + verb + object? | Does he not speak English? | Asking a question, perhaps expressing surprise or seeking confirmation. |
| Negative Interrogative | Don't/Doesn't + subject + verb + object? | Doesn't he speak English? | More common way to ask, often expecting a 'yes' answer (e.g., "Doesn't he speak English? Yes, he does!"). |
Let's apply this to the other examples from the reference:
-
Reference Negative: They do not come late.
- Negative Interrogative: Do they not come late?
- Negative Interrogative (Contracted): Don't they come late?
-
Reference Negative: She does not complete her work.
- Negative Interrogative: Does she not complete her work?
- Negative Interrogative (Contracted): Doesn't she complete her work?
More Examples:
- Don't you understand? (Expressing surprise or impatience)
- Doesn't she live near here? (Asking for confirmation)
- Do we not have enough time? (Asking a question, perhaps formally)
- Don't they want any help? (Making a suggestion or expressing mild disbelief)
In summary, a negative interrogative sentence in the present indefinite asks a question using 'do/does' or 'don't/doesn't' followed by the subject, the base form of the verb, and potentially an object, ending with a question mark. It differs from the standard negative sentence formula provided in the reference by being a question structure rather than a declarative statement structure.
