Are we there yet vs arn't we there yet

[nq:1]1. Are we there yet? 2. Aren't we there yet? Aren't they interchangeable, depending on the context involving the tone of speech?[/nq]
Yes, I would say that they normally are interchangeable..

Strangely, if you aren't there yet, the answer is usually "No" in both cases.!

Ian

[nq:1]1. Are we there yet?[/nq]
This is a simple question.
[nq:1]2. Aren't we there yet?[/nq]
This implies regret that the answer is likely to be "no". Indeed, this will usually be said when the questioner knows that the answer is "no", so it's not really a question at all.
[nq:1]Aren't they interchangeable, depending on the context involving the tone of speech? TIA CK[/nq]
ath

Moreover, it carries a clear suggestion of irritation, a sense that the trip is taking too long.

Cordially,
Eric Walker, Owlcroft House
http://owlcroft.com/english/

[nq:1]1. Are we there yet?[/nq]
Anyone know why English has "yet" in this phrase?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yet
doesn't seem to have a ready meaning for this case : all are ~"still", none ~"already".
And other languages indeed use the word for "already" here. The phrase as is

[nq:1]1. Are we there yet? 2. Aren't we there yet? Aren't they interchangeable, depending on the context involving the tone of speech? TIA[/nq]
Ask yourself why you said "Aren't they ..." and not "Are they ...," and you may have some of the answer.

[nq:2]1. Are we there yet? 2. Aren't we there yet? Aren't they interchangeable, depending on the context involving the tone of speech? TIA[/nq]
[nq:1]Ask yourself why you said "Aren't they ..." and not "Are they ...," and you may have some of the answer.[/nq]
Good comment. Why didn't I think of that?

athel

[nq:2]1. Are we there yet?[/nq]
[nq:1]Anyone know why English has "yet" in this phrase? doesn't seem to have a ready meaning for this case : all are ~"still", none ~"already". And other languages indeed use the word for "already" here.[/nq]
But this would mean something different, I think, since you can say both in English, although I can't pinpoint the difference.
[nq:1]The phrase a

[nq:2]1. Are we there yet?[/nq]
[nq:1]Anyone know why English has "yet" in this phrase? doesn't seem to have a ready meaning for this case : all are ~"still", none ~"already".[/nq]
"At this or that time". It doesn't have the same meaning that "already" would have. "Are we there yet?" implies the suspicion that "we" may not yet be there, along with a note of impatience. "Are we there alre

[nq:2]This is a simple question. This implies regret that the ... is "no", so it's not really a question at all.[/nq]
[nq:1]Moreover, it carries a clear suggestion of irritation, a sense that the trip is taking too long.[/nq]
It's an interesting point, because a negative question by itself usually carries the implication that the answer expected is "yes". Aren't you coming? Haven't you had

wugi filted:
[nq:2]1. Are we there yet?[/nq]
[nq:1]Anyone know why English has "yet" in this phrase? doesn't seem to have a ready meaning for this case ... word for "already" here. The phrase as is looks (to me non-Englisher, that is :-) like "Are we still there?".[/nq]
[nq:2]2. Aren't we there yet?[/nq]
I'm in no position to explain why, but it's interesting to note that "yet" c