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April2013 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
About "not...because" sentence
Hi members. I read one that goes: The engine did not stop because the fuel was finished. I want to ask: Is this pattern more common or idiomatic than this one "The engine stopped not because the fuel was finished." Thanks in advance.
Top answer
In my experience, the first one would be followed by a complete (explanatory) sentence, while the second would be followed by a "but" clause. The engine did not stop because the fuel was finished. It stopped because the ignition was switched off.
- In my experience, the first one would be followed by a complete (explanatory) sentence, while the second would be followed by a "but" clause.
- The engine did not stop because the fuel was finished.
- It stopped because the ignition was switched off.
- The engine stopped not because the fuel was finished, but because the ignition was switched off.
- The second version is a bit higher register, but both are idiomatic.
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2 Answers
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In my experience, the first one would be followed by a complete (explanatory) sentence, while the second would be followed by a "but" clause.
The engine did not stop because the fuel was finished. It stopped because the ignition was switched off.
The engine stopped not because the fuel was finished, but because the ignition was switched off.
The se
The engine did not stop because the fuel was finished. It stopped because the ignition was switched off.
The engine stopped not because the fuel was finished, but because the ignition was switched off.
The se
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