Didn't you book the hall? can show that the speaker expected a booking. The answer should make the facts clear: Yes, I did means a booking happened; No, I didn't means it did not.
The idea
Put contracted negative auxiliary before the subject: Didn't you…? With full not, put it after the subject: Did you not…? In clear short answers, yes accompanies the affirmative and no the negative.
Examples
- Didn't you book the hall? Yes, I did. I booked it on Monday.
- Isn't the gate open? No, it isn't. It's still locked.
- Don't you work upstairs? Yes, I do. My desk is on the third floor.
- Haven't they received the map yet?
- Why don't we take the covered path?
- Did you not receive my message?
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Watch out
A bare yes or no may be misunderstood across languages; include the verb or an explanation. Negative questions can express surprise, criticism or suggestions: Why don't we…? suggests an action rather than simply checking a fact.
Try it yourself
You booked the hall. Answer the question. Didn't you book the hall? (Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.)
Show answer or example answer
Yes, I did.
Yes, I did confirms that you booked the hall. Do not choose no merely because the question contains didn't.
The gate is still locked. Answer the question. Isn't the gate open? (No, it isn't. / Yes, it is.)
Show answer or example answer
No, it isn't.
No, it isn't says the gate is not open. This agrees with the stated fact that it is still locked.
Choose the correct option. Did you ___ my message? (not receive / receive not)
Show answer or example answer
not receive
The full negative follows the subject: Did you not receive…? Use base receive after did.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
You booked the hall. Answer the question. Didn't you book the hall? (Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.)
The gate is still locked. Answer the question. Isn't the gate open? (No, it isn't. / Yes, it is.)
Choose the correct option. Did you ___ my message? (not receive / receive not)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two responses to a negative question, one confirming the action and one denying it. Add a factual explanation to each, then make a suggestion with Why don't we…?