Believing in something that doesn't exist.
This topic actually came up in my Spanish class. I'm a native-born American. English is my first language. Here's my questiion:
The first sentence below is obviously grammatically correct However, I'm not sure about the second one. I mean, how can you believe in something that doesn't exist? If the second sentence is wrong, why? And what grammar rule is violated? I need these specifics to settle a debate.
"I don't believe in the existence of God."
vs.
"I believe that God doesn't exist.?
Thanks, Sid
Top answer
Both are correct. They break no grammar rules. Don't confuse grammar with philosophy or logic.
- Both are correct.
- They break no grammar rules.
- Don't confuse grammar with philosophy or logic.
- You might like to consider Chomsky's famous sentence, Colourless green ideas sleep furiously.
- This is nonsense, but breaks no grammar rules.
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Both are correct. They break no grammar rules.
Don't confuse grammar with philosophy or logic.
You might like to consider Chomsky's famous sentence,
Colourless green ideas sleep furiously.
This is nonsense, but breaks no grammar rules.
Clive
0Catsmeow9"I believe that *** doesn't exist.?
I don't see a problem. You are not saying that you believe in a *** that does not exist. You are saying that you do not believe that the theory that *** exists is valid. It's like saying "I believe that the little green men on Mars are a figment of someone's imagination."
0Catsmeow9If the second sentence is wrong, why? And what grammar rule is violated?
It's not wrong, and it doesn't violate any grammar rule.
However, I consider it unidiomatic as it violates the typical habit we have in English to place the negation in the main clause in sentences of this type.
Preferred: I don't think that there are any man-eati
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