"Is this your book" vs "Isn't this your book"

Question

"Is this your book" vs "Isn't this your book"

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Is this your book?' is a straightforward question asking if the book belongs to the person. 'Isn't this your book?' is a question with a negative form, implying a bit of doubt or surprise, suggesting that the speaker thinks the book might belong to the person.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

This phrase is a direct question to confirm ownership of the book.

Examples:

Is this your book on the table?
Is this your book that I found in the library?
Is this your book that you were looking for?
Is this your book or someone else's?
Is this your book or mine?

Alternatives:

Does this book belong to you?
Whose book is this?
Is this the book you were searching for?
Is this the book you mentioned?
Is this the book you borrowed?

This phrase is a question that implies doubt or surprise about the ownership of the book.

Examples:

Isn't this your book that you left on the shelf?
Isn't this your book that you were reading?
Isn't this your book that you mentioned?
Isn't this your book that you bought last week?
Isn't this your book that you lost?

Alternatives:

Could this be your book?
Do you think this is your book?
Isn't this the book you were looking for?
Aren't you the owner of this book?
Do you recognize this book?

Answer 1

Is this your book

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask if the book belongs to the person.

Answer 2

Isn't this your book

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask if the book belongs to the person with a hint of doubt or surprise.