[Grammar] This does not suffice?

[eferes]

Hi, I have lived many years in English speaking countries and feel very proficient at the language, but came across a different grammar construction.

The native speaker wrote:

This does not suffice?

I would like to understand if it is 100% correct. Is it is a question, shouldn't it be: Doesn't this suffice?

Is NOT connected to the verb SUFFICE changing the meaning maybe?

Thank you,
Eduardo

 

[probus]

Re: Sentence structure

It's a way of adding emphasis to the question. The person asking the question is rather indignant. So for example, someone was feeling chilly and I took off my warm jacket and gave it to them, but they expressed no gratitude on taking it. Another way I might have put it is "What? That's not enough for you?"

 

[jutfrank]

Re: Sentence structure

Hi. I have lived in English speaking countries for many years and feel that I am highly proficient in the language, but I recently came across an unfamiliar grammar construction.

A few corrections for you.


In response to your question—yes, it's correct. This is an alternative way of asking questions—use the word order of a normal declarative statement and then add a rising questioning intonation at the end. We normally teach learners not to do this, but it's very common among native speakers. The effects are multifarious. A likely interpretation in this case is outlined very well by probus in the post above.

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forum, eferes.

Please note that I have changed your thread title.

Extract from the Posting Guidelines:

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'

 

[tedmc]

I think that is good only in spoken English but not in wrtten English.