negation - Negative questions vs positive questions


I'd like to know if negative questions are used very often in English. For example, in Spanish, negative questions are used very often just to offer something, to ask about something you're not sure, to ask telling off somebody, etc.


For example:



Don't you want something to drink? (offer)


Isn't she going to come? (doubt)


Don't you have to go to school today? (ask and tell off)



Are negative questions used a lot or do you prefer positive questions? When are negative questions used more than positive ones?



Answer



Negative questions are used when the person who asks expects a positive answer, no matter what else might be implied. There is no question of frequency of use; when the speaker wants to express an amount of certainty for the answer, a negative question will be used.


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