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Kenny1999 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Are you happy? aren't you happy?

hello

I know "are you happy?" is undoubtedly a question

how about "aren't you happy?"

What scenario do we say "aren't you happy?"

'happy' is just an example. I am learning to speak better and more appropriate English.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Are you happy? -- an objective question to which the speaker does not know the answer. Aren't you happy?

— Mister Micawber

  • Are you happy?
  • -- an objective question to which the speaker does not know the answer.
  • Aren't you happy?
  • -- a question asked by a speaker who thinks the listener is not happy.
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2 Answers
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Are you happy? -- an objective question to which the speaker does not know the answer.
Aren't you happy?-- a question asked by a speaker who thinks the listener is not happy.
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They're both questions but there is an important difference.
"Aren't you happy?" is like saying "I THOUGHT you WERE happy. Am I wrong?"
The simple "Are you happy?" doesn't imply anything about what I thought, or expected; it's just a straight question.
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