My children are in the habit of correcting my English when I speak, so I learn to pay attention when I speak. Naturally I also pay attention to the way others speak. Here are some interesting observations.
How do you ask a question? Many ways, really.
1. You haven't done your work, have you?
2. You have done your work, haven't you?
3. Have you done your work?
The three questions are asked in relation to work. The enquirer does not know whether work has been done or not, and he wants to know about it.
In the first question, the enquirer 'believes' you have not done your work and wants you to confirm that he is right.
In the second question, the enquirer 'believes' you have done your work and wants you to confirm he is right.
In the third question, the enquirer does not have a pre-known idea whether work has been done or not. He wants you to say it yourself.
Although all three ways of asking the question have the same intention to find out if work has been done or not, the manner the question was asked can invite different reactions.
If you are asked the first question, when in fact you have done your work, you could be seriously upset and reply as such, "I have done the work, why do you say I haven't?". You feel unhappy that others somehow did not believe you could have done the work.
If you are asked the second question, when in fact you have not done your work, you could reply, maybe rather embarassingly, "No, I am sorry I have not."
Finally, if you are asked the third question, you could simply reply with a yes or no, without getting agitated one way or the other.
How do you prefer your questions asked? How do you ask your questions?
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