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Cho7712 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
how not to
This explanation is excerpted from Quirk's grammar book.
"There is also a reduced negative wh-question, but this occurs
only with why and with wh-infinitive clauses. "
e.g. I don't know why not.
I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not (to).
And here are my questions.
1. In my thinking the book says two conditions, which should be
met at the same time ; it must be the word 'why' with wh-
infinitive clauses.
But the examples are simply not matched with my thinking.
Doesn't the connector 'and' describe the simultaneity?
I think It brings the vagueness to use 'and' instead of using 'or'.
What is your thinking about my opinion?
2. About an example of the latter, although it surely is grammatical
I am a bit doubtful if all the wh-question can appear in the
position of 'how'
i.e. I don't want to accept, but I don't know what not (to).
when
where
which
Is all the cases to be correct?
3. With the positive version, is it still possible to say like these?
i.e. I want to accept, but I don't know why/when/where/which (to).
4. What is the difference in meaning and structure between saying with 'to' and
without 'to' considering the original version each?
i.e. I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not to.
I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not.
"There is also a reduced negative wh-question, but this occurs
only with why and with wh-infinitive clauses. "
e.g. I don't know why not.
I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not (to).
And here are my questions.
1. In my thinking the book says two conditions, which should be
met at the same time ; it must be the word 'why' with wh-
infinitive clauses.
But the examples are simply not matched with my thinking.
Doesn't the connector 'and' describe the simultaneity?
I think It brings the vagueness to use 'and' instead of using 'or'.
What is your thinking about my opinion?
2. About an example of the latter, although it surely is grammatical
I am a bit doubtful if all the wh-question can appear in the
position of 'how'
i.e. I don't want to accept, but I don't know what not (to).
when
where
which
Is all the cases to be correct?
3. With the positive version, is it still possible to say like these?
i.e. I want to accept, but I don't know why/when/where/which (to).
4. What is the difference in meaning and structure between saying with 'to' and
without 'to' considering the original version each?
i.e. I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not to.
I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not.
Top answer
cho7712 This explanation is excerpted from Quirk's grammar book. It would be helpful if you could tell us which of Quirks's books on grammar you are referring to; ideally, give us a page number. When discussing what people have written, it helps us give a better response if we can see their words in a wider context.
- cho7712 This explanation is excerpted from Quirk's grammar book.
- It would be helpful if you could tell us which of Quirks's books on grammar you are referring to; ideally, give us a page number.
- When discussing what people have written, it helps us give a better response if we can see their words in a wider context.
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6 Answers
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cho7712This explanation is excerpted from Quirk's grammar book.It would be helpful if you could tell us which of Quirks's books on grammar you are referring to; ideally, give us a page number. When discussing what people have written, it helps us give a better response if we can see their words in a wider context.
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Thank you for your comment,
It is 'A student's grammar of the English language' and under the title of Ellipsis of a clause, 260p.
It is 'A student's grammar of the English language' and under the title of Ellipsis of a clause, 260p.
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cho77121. In my thinking the book says two conditions, which should be met at the same time ; it must be the word 'why' with wh- infinitive clauses.The book says that "this ( a reduced negative wh-question) occurs only with (1) why and with (2) wh-infinitive clauses". I have added the bracketed numvers to illustrate the sense. It would per
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Thanks for the reply.
And I also think it seems not to be clear in meaning to say "I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not."
I'm really wondering what other native teachers think about my question,too.
And I also think it seems not to be clear in meaning to say "I don't want to accept, but I don't know how not."
I'm really wondering what other native teachers think about my question,too.
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These are natural to me. I'm not sure if this answers all your questions, though.
I don't want to accept, but I don't know why.
I want to accept, but I don't know why.
I want to accept, but I don't know how to.
I want to go, but I don't know when.
I want to sing, but I don't know how.
I want to meet him, but I don't know where.
I want to buy a car, but I don't kno
I don't want to accept, but I don't know why.
I want to accept, but I don't know why.
I want to accept, but I don't know how to.
I want to go, but I don't know when.
I want to sing, but I don't know how.
I want to meet him, but I don't know where.
I want to buy a car, but I don't kno
00
Thank you for the reply.
Although the meaning of each antecendent clause makes it clear why some cases include 'to' and others not,
it is still unclear to me what differences are there.
Although the meaning of each antecendent clause makes it clear why some cases include 'to' and others not,
it is still unclear to me what differences are there.
AlpheccaStarsI want to accept, but I don't know how to vs I want to sing, but I don't know how.Making a comparison between your two examples above, I can draw a te
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