0
L.Yuki Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

English Grammar help: all..were not / not all ... were?

Ok, here is the question.
Are there 2 statements meaning the same thing?

All of the dinosaurs were not dangerous
Not all of the dinosaurs were dangerous

I personally think (from my understanding), the first one means that ALL dinosaurs were dangerous while the second one only mean SOME of them (partial out of those all). So when did All and partial meaning the same thing?

There is someone who argues that those 2 statements meaning the same thing.
So, could someone please point this out? I would like to know whether it is my own misunderstanding or something? A link to the resource page (if there is one), will be greatly appreciated as well!

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Of course, you're right. They're different statements.

— Ant_222

  • Of course, you're right.
  • They're different statements.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Of course, you're right. They're different statements.
0
0
(a) All of the dinosaurs were not dangerous.
Translation: None of the dinosaurs were dangerous.

(b) Not all of the dinosaurs were dangerous.
Translation: Some of the dinosaurs were dangerous.

"All ... were not ..." = none.
"Not all" = some.
0
0
The logic of negation with a universally quantified subject comes up quite often on the forums.
In short, [all, both, every, etc.] is/are not ... is ambiguous and should be rephrased.

See .
See .
See .
See .

CJ
0

Related Questions