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Everlastinghope Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Grammar
Which one is correct " not to stay up late " or "to not stay up late"?.
I read in one of the articles that "to" here is called split infinitive.Here what's Wikipedia explaned:
Historical linguists have speculated that its origins may lie in Old French. The split infinitive appeared after the Norman conquest, when English was borrowing widely from French.
I decide not to do something.
Je décide de ne pas faire quelque chose.
I decide to not do something.
Thus it might be argued that the English split infinitive ("I decide to not do something") may have arisen under the influence of French.
So, according to this,is it really correct to say "to not to do something"?or it's considered as old English?.
I read in one of the articles that "to" here is called split infinitive.Here what's Wikipedia explaned:
Historical linguists have speculated that its origins may lie in Old French. The split infinitive appeared after the Norman conquest, when English was borrowing widely from French.
I decide not to do something.
Je décide de ne pas faire quelque chose.
I decide to not do something.
Thus it might be argued that the English split infinitive ("I decide to not do something") may have arisen under the influence of French.
So, according to this,is it really correct to say "to not to do something"?or it's considered as old English?.
Top answer
Both are used, although this split infinitive is much less common than the usual sort ('to boldly go', etc); usually there is no difference in intent. It sometimes makes a difference in emphasis or thrust, however.
- Both are used, although this split infinitive is much less common than the usual sort ('to boldly go', etc); usually there is no difference in intent.
- It sometimes makes a difference in emphasis or thrust, however.
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1 Answers
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Both are used, although this split infinitive is much less common than the usual sort ('to boldly go', etc); usually there is no difference in intent. It sometimes makes a difference in emphasis or thrust, however.
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