Meaning
Use Aren’t you to ask for confirmation or clarification about something regarding the person being addressed. It can also be used to express surprise or challenge.
Today’s Sentences
- Aren’t you cold?
- Aren’t you hungry?
- Aren’t you excited?
- Aren’t you ready yet?
- Aren’t you frustrated?
- Writer’s Note
01
Aren’t you cold?
Situation 1
The weather is so chilly this morning.
It was beautiful yesterday but I feel the autumn chill today.
Aren’t you cold?
I should’ve dressed warmer, I’m really cold right now.
Situation 2
Did you bring a sweater or a jacket?
No, I didn’t.
Why?
Aren’t you cold?
Not at all.
Actually, I love this weather.
02
Aren’t you hungry?
Situation 1
Aren’t you hungry?
I’m starving!
Let’s get something to eat.
I could eat anything right now.
Situation 2
Did you have lunch?
No, not yet.
It’s almost time for dinner and you haven’t eaten yet?
Aren’t you hungry?
Now that you’ve said it, I do feel hungry.
I was so busy I forgot to eat.
03
Aren’t you excited?
Situation 1
Tomorrow’s your birthday.
Aren’t you excited?
I’m so excited for tomorrow.
We’re gonna have good food, a birthday party, and cake!
I can’t wait!
Situation 2
So I get an award for my project tomorrow.
Aren’t you excited?
I’m definitely grateful for the acknowledgment.
You don’t seem as excited as I thought you would be.
04
Aren’t you ready yet?
Situation 1
Aren’t you ready yet?
What time is he coming to pick you up?
In 30 minutes.
Isn’t this your first date?
Pick an outfit and put on some makeup!
Okay, it won’t take me long.
Situation 2
We have to go now.
Aren’t you ready yet?
I’m coming.
What’s the rush?
If we don’t leave now, we’ll be caught in traffic.
I don’t know why a minute would make a difference.
05
Aren’t you frustrated?
Situation 1
This conversation is going nowhere.
What do you mean?
Aren’t you frustrated?
We’ve been talking in circles.
Well, I still want to talk things out.
Situation 2
Aren’t you frustrated?
Well, politicians are like that.
I can’t stand the way our country is being represented.
Like it or not, they’re all the same.
Writer’s Note
Aren’t is a contraction of Are(a form of the verb be) + not. It is used in statements and questions, with you, they, and all other plural subjects.
When you make a question, invert the subject and auxiliary verb.
- You are singing. Why are you singing?
- You are not singing. Why are you not singing?
- You aren’t singing. Why aren’t you singing?
In all three examples, the verb are or aren’t has moved in front of the subject ‘you’. All the rest of the sentence after that singing or not singing stays the same.
