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Velfarre Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Answering a negative question.

Hello, I have a question about answering negative questions using correct grammar.

If someone is to ask a question like, "Who doesn't live in Spain?"

And you do not live in Spain, would you answer, "I do," or "I don't"?

If someone could explain how this is supposed to be answered, instead of how it is usually answered I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to understand what is grammatically correct, not what is correct only to avoid confusion.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hello, Velfarre, welcome to the English Forums! This is how I'd answer the question: "I don't"

— Pieanne

  • Hello, Velfarre, welcome to the English Forums!
  • This is how I'd answer the question: "I don't"
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23 Answers
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Hello, Velfarre, welcome to the English Forums!

This is how I'd answer the question: "I don't"
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The answer should correspond with the question: positive with positive; negative with negative.

'Did you eat your breakfast this morning?'

'no' = (I didn't eat it)

'yes' = (I did eat it)



Didn't you eat your breakfast
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Maybe it would be easier to say: "Me!" Emotion: smile

I know that answering "no, I don't" means "I know I do not [not live] in X" >
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Welcome to English Forums!

I don't see any conflict between "supposed to" and "usually" here.

Who doesn't live in Spain?
I don't.

CJ
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There are two methods.

Q: Who doesn't live in Spain?

A: I = I don't live in Spain

Q: Who doesn't live in Spain?

A: I don't = I don't live in Spain
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Unfortunately, the second half of Jussive's message is wrong. It should be:

Didn't you eat your breakfast this morning?
No = No, I didn't eat it.
Yes = Yes, I did eat it.
Just remember that "No" simply confirms the negative fact that "I didn't eat it."
Also remember, as Jussive correctly said, that positive goes with positive, and negative with negative,
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let me state the scenario first: When you ER (end record) the Passenger Name Record, the Miles with automatically Locked.

Question: Miles will not be locked if you ER the record. Yes or No

My answer was NO, but our trainer marked it incorrect because she said the correct answer is YES. So how would I explain to her that the correct answer should be No?
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When you ER (end record) the Passenger Name Record, the Miles with??? automatically Locked.
It's unclear what this means. I'll assume it's basically this:

If you ER the PNR, miles will automatically be locked.

This is equivalent, reversing the order of clauses, to:

Miles will automatically be locked if you ER
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CalifJim
When you ER (end record) the Passenger Name Record, the Miles with??? automatically Locked.
It's unclear what this means. I'll assume it's basically this:

If you ER the PNR, miles will automatically be locked.

This is equivalent, reversing the order of clauses, to:

Miles will a
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For me, my trick is to change the negative question to a positive one (in mind.)
Then I will answer as it is. For example,

Who didn't live in Spain?
When I hear this question, I will change it to " Who live in Thailand?"
Then, if I am not in Spain, I will answer, "I don't."
If I am in Spain, I will answer "I do"

Thinking this way, I am not confused to asnwer t
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