Rhetorical questions are those questions that do not expect an answer. These are used simply as a way of drawing attention to something.
Study the following sentences:
- Do you know what time it is? (Meaning: You are late.)
- ‘I can’t find my glasses.’ ‘What is this, then?’ (Meaning: Here it is, stupid.)
A rhetorical question is sometimes used to draw attention to a negative situation.
- What is the use of asking her? (Meaning: It is no use asking her.)
- ‘I can sing better than you.’ ‘Who cares?’ (= Nobody cares.)
- ‘Have you lost your tongue?’ (= Why don’t you say anything?)
- ‘Who do you think you are?’ (= You are not as important as you think.)
Questions beginning with ‘how’ or ‘why should’ can be used to reject suggestions or requests.
- ‘She is really upset with you?’ ‘Why should I care?’
- ‘Would she help us?’ ‘Why should she?’
The question ‘How should I know?’ (In American English: ‘How would I know?’) can be used as an aggressive reply to a question.
- ‘What time does the train arrive?’ ‘How should I know?’
Negative yes/no questions are sometimes used to draw attention to a positive situation.
- ‘Didn’t I tell you she would come?’ (= I told you that she would come.)
- ‘Haven’t we had enough troubles?’ (= We have had enough troubles.)