Stop Saying: Answering negative questions

If someone asks 'Aren't you going out tonight?' how do you answer them? If you say 'yes', do you mean that you are not going out? If you say 'no', do you mean you are going out? It all seems very confusing! Thankfully Tim has the answer - and it's very simple.

[nivetakudalkar]

Thank you Tim, for explaining this baffling grammar concept in simple words 😇

[irinarimskaya]

O, Gosh! Many thanks for this video! I have never got why we should use positive/negative answers in the interrogative forms mentioned in this programme. Now I know the explanation! Thank you BBC again.

[tammytsang]

BBC learning English is the best learning channel, isn’t it ? Of course, it is. 🎉

[kathaluwaweligamageindika]

Thanks a lot Tim..I really like your pronuciation class as well...😊

[abirchowdhury]

Tim is always my favourite language teacher but why he is not seen in this time I don’t know.

[AvalonSchoolLondon]

We're so proud of our student Anita! Thanks BBC English for visiting our #speakingschool, come back anytime!

[PhuongNguyen-lsyr]

Oh, I have the same problem, thank for ur video. It’s so helpful for me. 😅

[fermintalavera]

Hiya!

I'm Fermin form Mexico City and I just want to say that's was really useful, many thanks Tim and BBC learning English.

Cheers!

[tjohnphillips]

I'm an English language junky/lover (US English actually, but they're very closely related) more the investigation/analysis of the language, but I really do NOT like this usage, I guess that's the engineer in me. I know language changes, and I'm well able to adapt, but the use of the negative to convey a positive question (I can't even tell if I'm phrasing that correctly). I guess I can't change how EVERYONE asks "Aren't you going to take that free $1000?", but I would like to, and I'd like to answer "No, I'm not going to not take the free $1000.", but then that's not the point of language is it? as I'd be communicating less effectively than more. ;)

[rickebuschcatherine]

In French we can say the to things, and sometimes, it's confusing!

[malakradwan]

Aren't you going quickly in this video ?

[ilya]

Can we ask: Are you going out tonight, aren`t you?

[northkorean]

I've got a question Tim.
I often hear native speakers instead of saying "do not" they say "don't you" and they continue the sentence
For instance, "don't you black or white me": MJ.
Or don't you dare...specially this, I hear it a lot.

[chequerswot]

I dont understand, when I respond no is no and when yes is yes.

[neoper]

"She’s no fool." if she is not a fool, is it right if I say " yes she is no fool"?

[khanhlinhmai]

Could someone please tell me what's the guy's name? I'm fascinated with his voice so much!!!

[mohammadshopon]

I want to know, I'd have to say my family. -What does it mean by the i'd have ???