Charles n’est pas ici?
This is correct, but we would say “là” instead of “ici”, which is smoother.
Note there is a “liaison” on the “s” of “pas” before “ici”.
N’est pas elle là
Indeed, this is not correct, you should say:
N’est-elle pas là ?
Note there is a “liaison” on the “t” of “est”.
In English to my ear these three sentences have slightly different connotations:
- “Is Charles here?” – simple question of fact
- “Isn’t Charles here?” – surprise
- “Is Charles not here?” – puzzlement or even suspicion, asking for verification that he really isn’t here.
I would therefore translate them as follows:
- “Is Charles here?” – Charles est-il ici?
- “Isn’t Charles here?” – Charles n’est-il pas ici?
- “Is Charles not here?” – Charles n’est-il vraiment pas ici? (literally “Charles is he really not here?”)
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