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Using negative questions can make your English sound more natural.

Let’s take an example :

• Do you want some natto?
• Er, no thanks.
• Don’t you like it?（好きじゃないの？）
• No, not really. （うん、あまり。）

Notice that we use ‘no’ and not ‘yes’ to agree with the suggestion in the question. The negative question gives a sense of surprise.

Negative questions are especially common with ‘yet’. Take a look at this example:

• He’s unemployed.
• Hasn’t he found a job yet?
• No, not yet. He’s still looking.

Try responding to these remarks, using a negative question with ‘yet’.

• My report is only half-written.
• The meeting is still going on.
• Jack’s library book is overdue.
• Anthony’s a bachelor.

Just a short post this time as the idea is quite simple. Try to slip a few negative questions into your conversation…