[Online TESOL] I have a question.
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Name Yuji Yang Date20-12-09 05:32 View1,896 Comment1Content
I would like to ask for a basic English grammar.
-Are not you happy?
-Are you not happy?
Which is correct?
When I make it shorten, I write down like this "Aren't you happy?"
So I thought, Are not you happy? is right but I read 'Are you not happy?'
I would like to wait for your reply.
Thank you:-D
Have a nice day!
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Allan Scafe
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Hi Yuji Yang,
Interesting question, because I never thought about it before, and yes, it is confusing.
So, "are you not happy?" is correct. "Are not you happy?" is incorrect. "Aren't you happy?" is correct, but only in informal or casual speech (do not use this expression in a formal letter or when talking to someone in a business setting). "Aren't you happy?" is basically much more informal and casual, while "are you not happy?" is much more formal. While it would seem to make sense that "aren't you happy?" would be the same as "are not you happy?", we would not use "are not you happy?". Perhaps we did use this in the past, but it is no longer used.
Well, I hope that makes sense and have a great day!