don't you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "don't you" is correct and usable in written English
You can use this phrase at the end of a statement or question to ask for confirmation or agreement. For example: "I love these shoes, don't you?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't you?

Yale University

Don't you think?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Don't you remember that?

Yale University

Don't you get it!

University of California, Berkeley

Don't you think that'sstunning?

University of California, Berkeley

Don't you feel better?

The New York Times

I don't — " "You know.

The New Yorker

Don't you worry".

The New York Times

"Don't you move.

The New Yorker

CARSON: Don't you?

The New Yorker

Don't you miss it?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider whether the full form "do you not" might be more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "don't you" as a tag when the main verb is a form of 'to be'. For example, do not say "You are happy, don't you?"; instead, use "aren't you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "don't you" functions as a negative interrogative construction, often serving as a tag question or a direct inquiry. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to prompt agreement, verify information or express a presupposition that the listener shares the speaker's view.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "don't you" is a cornerstone of conversational English, used to foster connection and confirm understanding between speakers. Ludwig AI data reveals its extensive presence in both high-brow journalism and elite academic lectures, proving its versatility. While it is predominantly used in the contracted form, writers should remain mindful of the main verb's auxiliary requirement and consider the uncontracted "do you not" for strictly formal documents. Overall, it remains one of the most effective tools for creating interactive and persuasive prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do you not

Uncontracted and more formal version of the phrase.

don't you think

Specifically prompts the listener for their opinion or judgment.

right

Informal tag used to seek quick confirmation.

aren't you

Equivalent negative tag used specifically with the verb 'to be'.

do you

Removes the negative bias, making the question more neutral.

isn't it true

More emphatic and formal way to seek confirmation of a fact.

haven't you

The perfect tense equivalent using 'have' as the auxiliary.

correct

A succinct, formal tag often used in professional or technical contexts.

won't you

Focuses on future actions or invitations rather than current states.

doesn't one

A very formal, impersonal way to express the same sentiment.

FAQs

How do I use "don't you" in a sentence?

You can use it to form a negative question or as a tag. For example: "Don't you want to come?" or "You like coffee, don't you?".

What can I say instead of "don't you"?

Depending on the context, you can use ""do you not"" for formality or simply "right" in casual conversation.

Which is correct, "don't you" or "do you not"?

Both are grammatically correct. "don't you" is the standard contracted form for speech, while ""do you not"" is preferred in very formal or academic writing.

What's the difference between "don't you" and "aren't you"?

The choice depends on the main verb. Use "don't you" for action verbs (e.g., "You play, don't you?") and ""aren't you"" for the verb 'to be' (e.g., "You are ready, "aren't you"?").