Aren't you forgetting anything?

[Steven D]

I'd like to know why the present participle form works there.

IMO, forget is a verb that, most time, doesn't go with -ing form. It's a perceptive verb and stative.


Yes, you forget to give me the paycheck.

If you have the expectation that someone will remember what he/she has forgotten at the present moment, then using "forget" progressively is fine. - no problem.

Joe is about to leave for work:

Joe - Okay, I'll see you tonight.

Karen - Aren't you forgetting something? - (not -Do you forget something? - The simple present is not suitable here. It's not correct.)

Joe - What?

Karen - Ah..... (eyes turning to the table)

Joe - Oh yes, thanks. What would I do without you? (Joe picks up his lunch and leaves for work.)

By contrast:

simple present

Karen - You always forget to take your lunch, Joe.

[Steven D]

[QUOTE=blacknomi

Which is correct?
1- Are you not forgetting anything?
2- Are you not forget something?[/QUOTE]

Both are correct. However, I think it sounds more natural to use a contraction.

Aren't you forgetting anything?

Aren't you forgetting something?

[blacknomi]

Hi again!

I've just read Marylin's and Cassie's reply and I've found disagreement here.

Are you forgetting anything? (This is simply a question.But if we want to make a negative sentence, there are two alternatives.)

1- Aren't you forgetting anything? (The contraction form)
2- Are you not forgetting anything?


I don't see much difference between them. My teacher taught me these are the same questions.
"Are you not hungry?" equals to "Aren't you hungry?"

I'd be glad if you can help me with this.

[Steven D]

Hi again!

I've just read Marylin's and Cassie's reply and I've found disagreement here.

Are you forgetting anything? (This is simply a question.But if we want to make a negative sentence, there are two alternatives.)

1- Aren't you forgetting anything? (The contraction form)
2- Are you not forgetting anything?


I don't see much difference between them. My teacher taught me these are the same questions.
"Are you not hungry?" equals to "Aren't you hungry?"

I'd be glad if you can help me with this.

We can say there's no difference in meaning. However, "Aren't you hungry." is more typical of everyday language.

A negative question that doesn't use a contraction might carry a serious tone with it. I'd say it usually does, but it depends what the speaker means to say. A negative sentence that uses a contraction is more usual. If a contraction is not used, it's usually for a reason - I think.

I would say not using a contraction in ordinary everyday conversation could often be thought of as paralinguistic in some way. There would be extra meaning attached. One can't say for sure, but this is my observation of the language I speak. It's a generality. It wouldn't always be true, but I think a negative quesiton that doesn't use a contraction is an indication that the speaker is expressing more than just the meaning of the words themselves.

I would say the same of tag questions that don't use contractions.

I told you, did I not? Did I not tell you?

I told you, didn't I? Didn't I tell you?

Tone

Intonation