Confusions With The Use Of "Not"

[majid87]

Hello guys,

It's been a while since I last visited UE but here I am with another confusion and I am sure you'll help well (as always).

I am confused with the use of "not" in MANY places. Here are some examples of sentences where I am confused with the use of "not".

You might have not thought about it but it's a fact.
You might not have thought about it but it's a fact.

Would you not take a look at my pictures?
Won't you take a look at my pictures?

Is it not your pen with a broken nib?
Isn't it your pen with a broken nib?

Why is it not raining today?
Why isn't it raining today?

Should you not write an application to address that matter?
Shouldn't you write an application to address that matter?

Could you tell me which sentences have the correct usage? I am not a native speaker and would love it if someone could also explain this a bit for me, please. Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[5jj]

You might have not thought about it but it's a fact. No
You might not have thought about it but it's a fact. :tick:

Would you not take a look at my pictures? Not natural
Won't you take a look at my pictures? :tick:

Is it not your pen with a broken nib? No
Isn't [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE]this/that your pen with a broken nib?

Why is it not raining today? Very formal
Why isn't it raining today? :tick:

Should you not write an application to address that matter? Very formal
Shouldn't you write an application to address that matter? . :tick:

I am not a native speaker and would love it if someone could also explain this a bit for me, please.

In interrogative negatives, we prefer contracted forms, except in formal writing and very formal speech.

The normal word order is:

auxiliary, n't, subject, full verb - ? - Isn't he coming?
aixiliary, subject, not, full verb -? - Is he not coming?

 

[majid87]

@ 5JJ

Thank you so much for the help. However, I might need a bit extra assistance on your explanation. On occasions you have used the word "No" and on others you have used "not natural" and "very formal".

Does your "No" mean = the sentence is incorrect

Not natural = Correct but doesn't sound very nice?

Very formal = Formal but correct?

And the two sequence examples you have given at the end, should I take the first one as "word order for informal speaking" and second one as "informal speaking and writing"?

Thanks again for the help.