Don't you think vs Isn't that

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Don't you think

Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Isn't that

Informal Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Don't you think Most common: Isn't that

	Don't you think	Isn't that
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ju ˈθɪŋk// 🇺🇸 //doʊnt ju ˈθɪŋk//	🇬🇧 //ˈɪznt ðæt// 🇺🇸 //ˈɪznt ðæt//
Meaning	A way to ask if someone agrees with you.	A way to ask if something is true or not.
Example	This painting is beautiful, don't you think?	Isn't that a beautiful painting?
Register	Neutral	Informal
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 that funny, isn't that right, isn't that 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 'that' and saying 'Isn't?' only., Using it in overly formal contexts., Confusing it with 'Is that not?' which sounds more formal.
Usage notes	Used in discussions to seek agreement; appropriate in casual and formal settings but can sound confrontational if said sharply.	Used in casual conversations to seek agreement or clarification. Not suitable for formal writing or speeches.

See it in real clips

Very peculiar, don't you think?

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

And "can't" seems very definitive. Don't you think?

Very peculiar, don't you think?

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

And "can't" seems very definitive. Don't you think?

Don't you think

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

Cap, we can bring her back. Isn't that right?

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Isn't that Lieutenant Winters leading Easy Company in PT?

How do you know the foul-up isn't that his brothers are okay and that...

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

Cap, we can bring her back. Isn't that right?

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Isn't that Lieutenant Winters leading Easy Company in PT?

Isn't that

Frequently asked questions: Don't you think vs Isn't that

What's the difference between Don't you think and Isn't that?

Don't you think: A way to ask if someone agrees with you. Isn't that: A way to ask if something is true or not.

Which is more formal: Don't you think and Isn't that?

Don't you think is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Don't you think and Isn't that?

Isn't that 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 that: Isn't that a beautiful painting?

Can I use Don't you think and Isn't that interchangeably?

Not always. Don't you think and Isn't that 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.