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Achamo Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
"Will you please help me?" vs. "Won't you please help me?"
Would the phrase "Won't you please help me?" be more polite than "Will you please help me?"?
In the same way as the previous example, would negative interrogative sentences as asking a request/favor be polite more than interrogative ones?
Such as "Couldn't you post this letter off, please?", and "Wouldn't you give me that soy sauce?" etc.
I have another question although it doesn't relate to the above. Is this conversation natural?
A: When would you like this book back?
B: Any time at all is fine.
I would be grateful for your help.
In the same way as the previous example, would negative interrogative sentences as asking a request/favor be polite more than interrogative ones?
Such as "Couldn't you post this letter off, please?", and "Wouldn't you give me that soy sauce?" etc.
I have another question although it doesn't relate to the above. Is this conversation natural?
A: When would you like this book back?
B: Any time at all is fine.
I would be grateful for your help.
Top answer
"? -- Strangely, no. The negative forms suggest that the speaker thinks s/he won't be helped; it expresses worry or frustration or anger.
- "?
- -- Strangely, no.
- The negative forms suggest that the speaker thinks s/he won't be helped; it expresses worry or frustration or anger.
- I have another question although it doesn't relate to the above.
- -- Yes, it is fine.
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8 Answers
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Would the phrase "Won't you please help me?" be more polite than "Will you please help me?"? In the same way as the previous example, would negative interrogative sentences as asking a request/favor be polite more than interrogative ones?-- Strangely, no. The negative forms suggest that the speaker thinks s/he won't be helped; it expresses worry or frustration or anger.
I have an
I have an
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I understand. Thank you so much. I wondered why the negative interrogative sentence "Won't you please, please help me?" is used in the lyric of Beatles' song, help!.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down,
And I do appreciate you being 'round,
Help get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
Then, the composer doesn't expect y
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down,
And I do appreciate you being 'round,
Help get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
Then, the composer doesn't expect y
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Thank you for your reply. Um, so, he doesn't think he will be helped, but is pleading to be helped, expressing worry or frustration or despair?
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It doesn't mean he doesn't think he won't be helped; I did not say that. That is just one possibility in some contexts.
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Thank you. In that lyric, does he just express pleading, and is the pleading degree higher than "Will you please me?"?
The meanings of the negative forms of interrogative depend on contexts.
This time, do I understand correctly?
The meanings of the negative forms of interrogative depend on contexts.
This time, do I understand correctly?
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I was relieved. I am really grateful you continued teaching until I understand, Mister Micawber! 
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