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PASTEL Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Do you love her nor not?

I found this sentence ambiguous. Is that a common usage to negate a sentence this way?

I don't love her because she's fair.
--> I love her not because she's fair.




Pastel
  

Top answer

This is ambiguous when written but in speech the tone of voice and emphasis would create the correct meaning. Your alternative is also ambiguous when written. These are my best efforts at distinguishing between the two meanings in writing.

— Nona the brit

  • This is ambiguous when written but in speech the tone of voice and emphasis would create the correct meaning.
  • Your alternative is also ambiguous when written.
  • These are my best efforts at distinguishing between the two meanings in writing.
  • Because she is fair, I do not love her.
  • I do not love her for her fair hair.
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2 Answers
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This is ambiguous when written but in speech the tone of voice and emphasis would create the correct meaning.

Your alternative is also ambiguous when written.

These are my best efforts at distinguishing between the two meanings in writing.

Because she is fair, I do not love her.

I do not love her for her fair hair.
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I think "fair" is not a good adjective in this example. Let me try another one,


I don't love her because she's pretty.
--> I don't love her because she's TOO pretty and I'm afraid she would two-time me.
--> I love her not because of her beautiful appearance but her inside.


"Not" can modify the axiliary "do" or the conjunction "becasue".
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