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Snappy Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

I saw nothing/didn't see anything

Is there a difference in nuance between

I saw nothing.
and
I didn't see anything.
?
  

Top answer

Snappy Is there a difference in nuance between I saw nothing. and I didn't see anything. Yes.

— CalifJim

  • Snappy Is there a difference in nuance between I saw nothing.
  • and I didn't see anything.
  • Yes.
  • Whenever there is more than one way to say something, there's bound to be some difference in the nuances.
  • I didn't see anything is the neutral form.
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2 Answers
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SnappyIs there a difference in nuance between

I saw nothing.
and
I didn't see anything.
?

Yes. Whenever there is more than one way to say something, there's bound to be some difference in the nuances.

I didn't see anything is the neutral form. This would be used 99% of the time.

I would call I saw no
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" I didn't see anything." Maybe I wasn't looking. I might even have been asleep.

"I saw nothing." - I was there, I was reasonably alert. If something had happened I probably would have seen it.
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