Be and not be
An example would be: “Nothing can both be and not be at the same time and in the same respect.” Axiom ... or first principles beyond the principles of logic by which a particular mathematical discipline is defined.
I saw the above definition of "axiom" online.
What is the grammatical form and function of "be and not be" here?
What does "be" mean here?
Top answer
"be and not be" is hardly a phrase there, and does not have an obvious single identity, apart from being a kind of "compound infinitive", I suppose. "be" in this case means "exist". In other words, the axiom is saying that nothing can exist at the same time as not existing.
- "be and not be" is hardly a phrase there, and does not have an obvious single identity, apart from being a kind of "compound infinitive", I suppose.
- "be" in this case means "exist".
- In other words, the axiom is saying that nothing can exist at the same time as not existing.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
"be and not be" is hardly a phrase there, and does not have an obvious single identity, apart from being a kind of "compound infinitive", I suppose. "be" in this case means "exist". In other words, the axiom is saying that nothing can exist at the same time as not existing.
0
Related Questions