student asking question

How different "could you not" and "couldn't you"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Could you not" is a way to ask someone not to do something. While "couldn't you" sounds very similar, it is actually the opposite of "could you not" and it is a way of suggesting that someone do something. Ex: Could you not play the music so loud? Ex: Couldn't you try to negotiate to get a lower price?

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