Cool MateDon't you think vs Isn't it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't you think
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Isn't it
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Isn't it
| Don't you think | Isn't it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ju ˈθɪŋk//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ju ˈθɪŋk// | 🇬🇧 //ˈɪzənt ɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈɪzənt ɪt// |
| Meaning | A way to ask if someone agrees with you. | A phrase used to ask for agreement or confirmation. |
| Example | This painting is beautiful, don't you think? | It's a beautiful day, isn't it? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | Don't you think so?, Don't you think it's?, Don't you think we should? | Isn't it amazing, Isn't it strange, Isn't it true |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'you' and saying 'Don't think' instead., Misusing in rhetorical questions where no response is expected., Adding 'do' unnecessarily, saying 'Don't do you think'. | Omitting 'it', leading to incorrect phrases like 'Isn't?', Using in formal contexts where a clearer question is needed., Confusing tense and using with incorrect auxiliary verbs. |
| Usage notes | Used in discussions to seek agreement; appropriate in casual and formal settings but can sound confrontational if said sharply. | Commonly used in conversational English to invite agreement. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't you think vs Isn't it
What's the difference between Don't you think and Isn't it?
Don't you think: A way to ask if someone agrees with you. Isn't it: A phrase used to ask for agreement or confirmation.
Which is more common: Don't you think and Isn't it?
Isn't it is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't you think: This painting is beautiful, don't you think? Isn't it: It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
Can I use Don't you think and Isn't it interchangeably?
Not always. Don't you think and Isn't it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.