Wh questions: the way I ask negative questions

[MoHammaD_93]

I'd like to know whether I should ask like "Why don't you do sth?" or "Why do you not do sth?"

Are both correct? Does each differ from each other?

Thanks

 

[Raymott]

I'd like to know whether I should ask like "Why don't you do sth?" or "Why do you not do sth?"

Are both correct? Does each differ from each other?

Thanks

They're both grammatically correct, but you'd probably never need to use the second version. I'd recommend you sticking to the first - it's the normal, common way of saying it.

 

[konungursvia]

Here we still hear both, though the first is more common.

 

[TheParser]

I'd like to know whether I should ask like "Why don't you do sth?" or "Why do you not do sth?"

Are both correct? Does each differ from each other?

Thanks

********** NOT A TEACHER **********

Hello, MoHammaD.

(1) You have asked a very interesting question.

(2) In a book entitled The Grammar Book, the authors say that

sometimes there is a little difference:

Why didn't you do the work? The authors say that sometimes it

could express a negative sense. Something like: You should have

done the work. That's what you get paid for!!! So do it now!!!

Why did you not do the work? The authors say that this way

is not only more formal but also "more neutral." For example

(only my example -- not the authors'): Excuse me. But why did you

not do the work? Were you sick? Worried by family problems? Maybe

there is a reason for your not doing the work. Could you please tell me?

THANK YOU