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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Haven't you seen my glasses

I read the following (Practical English Usage)

'Haven't you seen my glasses anywhere?'
Why doesn't this sound right? see entry 368

I saw entry 368, but I don't know why that doesn't sound right.

Entry 368 are as follow: Contracted and uncontracted negative questions have different word order. (Uncontracted negative questions are usually formal.)
Why Haven't you booked your holiday yet?
Why have you not booked your holiday yet?
  

Top answer

' Why doesn't this sound right? The question "Haven't you ... " usually implies an expectation on the speaker's part that the addressee should have done that thing.

— GPY

  • ' Why doesn't this sound right?
  • The question "Haven't you ...
  • " usually implies an expectation on the speaker's part that the addressee should have done that thing.
  • ".
  • It is not usually reasonable to expect that someone should have seen your lost glasses, though it may be possible in a special context.
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4 Answers
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Anonymous'Haven't you seen my glasses anywhere?' Why doesn't this sound right?
The question "Haven't you ... ?" usually implies an expectation on the speaker's part that the addressee should have done that thing. For example, "Haven't you done your homework yet?". It is not usually reasonable to expect that someone should have seen your lost glasses, though it
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AnonymousI read the following (Practical English Usage)'Haven't you seen my glasses anywhere?'Why doesn't this sound right? see entry 368
Which edition does his appear in? I can't find it in my 3rd edition.

In any case, negative questions are not normally used to ask simply for a yes.no answe..
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It's also 3rd edition. (the back cover)

Real language problems need practical solutions

How do I explain articles to my students? See entries 61-70

big, large or great? See entry 106

When do we use a past tense with a future meaning? See entry 426

How do I read out an email address on the telephone? See entry 147

'Haven't you seen my
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GPYThe question "Haven't you ... ?" usually implies an expectation on the speaker's part that the addressee should have done that thing. For example, "Haven't you done your homework yet?". It is not usually reasonable to expect that someone should have seen your lost glasses, though it may be possible in a special context.
Thank you very much.
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