Negative Questions
Negative questions can confuse learners because the answer "yes" or "no" responds to the fact, not the form. "Didn't you eat?" — "Yes, I did." (= Yes, I ate.) "No, I didn't." (= No, I didn't eat.) This is the opposite of some languages where "yes" would mean "you're right, I didn't." In English, "yes" always confirms the positive, regardless of the question's form.
Negative questions can confuse learners because the answer "yes" or "no" responds to the fact, not the form. "Didn't you eat?" — "Yes, I did." (= Yes, I ate.) "No, I didn't." (= No, I didn't eat.) This is the opposite of some languages where "yes" would mean "you're right, I didn't." In English, "yes" always confirms the positive, regardless of the question's form.
Practice
"Aren't you coming to the party?" — "___ I am! I'll be there at 8."
"Didn't she apply for the job?" — ", she did. She applied last week."
"Haven't you finished yet?" → Reply to say you have finished. Put in order: