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Langtraveler Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
may not
Hello.
Could anyone explain the order of 'may' and 'not'?
Here are some example sentences I write.
Could you tell me which one is correct-maybe both or neither-with rhe reason why the incorrect one is inappropriate?
Thank you.
1.
a. I may not be right.
b. I may be not right.
2.
a. He may not be a doctor.
b. He may be not a doctor.
3.
a. Might it not be true that each person only pursues his or her own interest?
b. Might not it be true that each person only pursues his or her own interest?
Could anyone explain the order of 'may' and 'not'?
Here are some example sentences I write.
Could you tell me which one is correct-maybe both or neither-with rhe reason why the incorrect one is inappropriate?
Thank you.
1.
a. I may not be right.
b. I may be not right.
2.
a. He may not be a doctor.
b. He may be not a doctor.
3.
a. Might it not be true that each person only pursues his or her own interest?
b. Might not it be true that each person only pursues his or her own interest?
Top answer
I'd say that the first sentence in each pair is correct. As for the reason why, I think that the main verb in a sentence must normally be preceded by a modal. I cannot swim.
- I'd say that the first sentence in each pair is correct.
- As for the reason why, I think that the main verb in a sentence must normally be preceded by a modal.
- I cannot swim.
- ( I can swim not ) He may not be a doctor.
- (the main verb is be)
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3 Answers
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I'd say that the first sentence in each pair is correct.
As for the reason why, I think that the main verb in a sentence must normally be preceded by a modal.
I cannot swim. (I can swim not)
He may not be a doctor. (the main verb is be)
As for the reason why, I think that the main verb in a sentence must normally be preceded by a modal.
I cannot swim. (
He may not be a doctor. (the main verb is be)
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Now I see, thank you for your reply.
You mean both "right" and "not right" can be an complement for "be"
but "not a doctor" cannot be an object for "be", right?
Could you tell your opinion about the third one, please?
You mean both "right" and "not right" can be an complement for "be"
but "not a doctor" cannot be an object for "be", right?
Could you tell your opinion about the third one, please?
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langtravelerCould anyone explain the order of 'may' and 'not'?"may" always comes first. "not" comes later.
langtravelera. I may not be right. b. I may be not right.This has to do with the order of "not" and "be", not the order of "may" and "not".
a. is correct. b. is wrong, but I may be wrong is OK and it
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