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MustAsk Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

It's best if we not/don't do that

Hi

What rule can be applied here?

It's best if we don't talk
It's best if we not talk

It's best if he not do that
It's best if he doesn't do that

Aren't these conditionals? I'm totally lost here.

Thanks!
  

Top answer

These are recommendations not to do something, by saying that if one doesn't do X, then it will be (ie there will result) the best situation. The 'is' ("It's") is an act of making a choice from several options (X is best, Y is worst) You'd see it more clearly by reversing the phrases - It is best if we don't talk -> If we don't talk (then) it is best etc d

— Meteorquake

  • These are recommendations not to do something, by saying that if one doesn't do X, then it will be (ie there will result) the best situation.
  • The 'is' ("It's") is an act of making a choice from several options (X is best, Y is worst) You'd see it more clearly by reversing the phrases - It is best if we don't talk -> If we don't talk (then) it is best etc d
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1 Answers
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These are recommendations not to do something, by saying that if one doesn't do X, then it will be (ie there will result) the best situation. The 'is' ("It's") is an act of making a choice from several options (X is best, Y is worst)
You'd see it more clearly by reversing the phrases -
It is best if we don't talk -> If we don't talk (then) it is best
etc
d
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