For example, if I say: "I didn't study at all today!" another person would say "Oh, didn't you?" or "Oh, did you not?". Which is the correct one? Or are both correct? Thanks a lot!! I got this issue with my flatmate and we are both non native English speakers...
2006-12-06 05:16:05 · 22 answers · asked by Sunneva 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Actually this is a little complicated, but here goes...
Did you not is much more formal and brisk... one may say to an errant child, or a barrister may aks someone on the wittness stand "did you not...?" Or could say "You did it, did you not?"
Do you notice how much more forceful it sounds?
The contraction "didn't" is softer and also would be classified as informal.
[I tutored ESL for a time my first round at Uni--so I think I am on the right track.]
Charles "That Cheeky Lad!"
2006-12-06 05:30:59 · answer #1 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In English, its okay to say didn't in conversation but not to write it in a letter. Didn't is short for 'did not' as in, 'you did not do or say something'.
English is a democratic language in that is belongs to the people who speak it. Although there are rules about grammar, spelling and so on, usage is a matter for local and personal needs.
Saying 'did you not', although acceptable, is probably a direct translation from German into English, rather than just plain English. Rather similar to saying 'that I like', when in English it should be expressed as 'I like that'.
You can get free English lessons at the BBC website.
2006-12-06 05:31:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I would say "didn't you?" because it's more colloquial (as in every day speech), and I think "did you not?" is slightly more proper but still correct. You may also say "did you not?" if you want to sound clever. By the way, judging from your question, your English seems really good!
2006-12-06 05:27:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if we're going to get all all technical then "Didn't you" is an informal way of saying "Did not you" as the appostrophy or however you spell it means that a letter is missing however if you said that then you'd look like a complete idiot so do whatever you want
2006-12-06 05:21:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the way we word things is so difficult for people learning the language. I feel sorry for you. But sometimes the correct answer is just the oposite from what they are saying.
like: "you didn't get the grocerys, did you?"
He replies yes. the true statement would mean yes, I didn't get the grocerys.
But he means yes I did.
If someone said to me, "I didn't study at all today."
I would say, "You didn't? Well, you better get busy now."
Or "you better get that done."
I wouldn't say either one of those. Didn't you? Never; course this is Oklahoma.
2006-12-06 05:25:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Both are correct.
"Didn't you" is what most English speakers would say.
But "did you not" is just as correct - but a little bit old-fashioned.
2006-12-06 05:21:03 · answer #6 · answered by mcfifi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the proper way would be to say (in your situation) oh you didn't. did not sounds funny but it is the correct way to pronounce it.people started saying " didn't you " instead of did not becasue it was too long and is seen as 1800's english. so yeah that is the only reason. hope i helped.
2006-12-06 05:20:29 · answer #7 · answered by spicysaucylatina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They certainly can. Its not as though they need two sides of the story to proceed as long as they have other supporting information. All that is required for the police to lay a charge is reasonable and probable grounds. If you give a statement and some proof that makes it look like something happened to you and the other party refuses to talk then they have a complaint and some degree of evidence and can form that reasonable belief. Time to let the courts hash it out. The police are not their to judge you (unlike how you claim in your question), they just there to gather the facts and ensure that they can be presented to the court. Its the DA who does the prosecution based upon the police information. Think of it like a child's teeter totter. Put your statement on one side and you side goes down. If the other side chooses to not make a statement (as is their right) then there is nothing to balance the scales.
2016-03-13 04:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are correct, but "didn't you?" or "You didn't?" are more common.
"Did you not?" is more often used in dramatic statements like "You stole the cash, did you not?" as opposed to everyday language.
2006-12-06 05:20:20 · answer #9 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are correct. "Didn't you" is the more informal version. It is the one I would tend to use with family and friends.
2006-12-06 05:18:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋