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Declarative questions
We use affirmative word order in questions in spoken rather than written English. Declarative questions can be used when the speaker is fairly sure he has understood what has been said,
but he just wants to make sure. In declarative questions, a rising intonation at the end is common:
You're going by plane? I thought you were going by bus.
You've already bought the tickets? I thought you were broke.
You think we should keep the money even though we know it's been stolen?
You've never been to Paris? ~ No, I haven't.
You've been to all the other European capitals? ~ Yes. ~ But never to Paris? ~ No, never. ~ That's extraordinary!
His behaviour has been good whilst he's been in prison. ~ So you're quite satisfied with his progress? ~ Reasonably satisfied, yes.
You're keeping his medicine in the fridge? ~ Yes. ~ And you'll make sure he takes it three times a day? ~ Yes.
You say you heard funny noises? ~ Yes. ~ But you didn't see anything suspicious? ~ No.
I've never been to Paris. ~ You've never been to Paris? Such a romantic city!
Did you know Wills and Kate have split up? ~ They've split up? I thought they were definitely an item!
She's invited 250 guests to her wedding. ~ She's invited how many?
They're going to Belo Horizonte on honeymoon. ~ They're going where?
She's pawned her pearls to pay for it. She's pawned what?
Note that we also retain affirmative word order when we are reporting questions in indirect speech:
What's the matter? I asked her what the matter was.
Why are you crying? I asked her why she was crying.
When did he leave? I wanted to know when he had left.
Who did he leave with? I wanted to know who he had left with.
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