[in 2 minutes] or [until 2 minutes later]
I am not sure how to ask my question properly. I will start with an example.
(1) Give me your answer in two minutes.
I am trying to turn it into a negative statement properly.
(2a) Don't give me your answer in two minutes.
(2b) Don't give me your answer until two minutes later.
Most of my non-native English speaking friends think (2a) is the correct negation. However, my other friends think (2b) sounds better because "Don't" fits "until" better. I am not sure which negative sentence is correct. Please help me. Thank you.
Top answer
I once read that "negation" can occur in eight different ways, but I don't remember what they were. In any case, both 2a and 2b are negations of one kind or another of the original sentence. I think what you're aiming at is this: Wait two minutes before giving me your answer.
- I once read that "negation" can occur in eight different ways, but I don't remember what they were.
- In any case, both 2a and 2b are negations of one kind or another of the original sentence.
- I think what you're aiming at is this: Wait two minutes before giving me your answer.
- And in at least one sense of the word "negation", this isn't a negation at all.
- I suppose in some way you could call it "an opposite".
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I once read that "negation" can occur in eight different ways, but I don't remember what they were. 
In any case, both
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