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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Negation--with and without verb to do

I wish not to kill.

I do not wish to kill.

When can we write the negated form without do and we can't we?

Thanks
  

Top answer

The normal impulse is to move the negation to the main clause, making the 2nd the usual. The first is used (by some) or accepted (in retrospect) by grammarians when the emphasis is to be retained within the dependent clause. = I wish to kill at least one poor bloke)

— Mister Micawber

  • The normal impulse is to move the negation to the main clause, making the 2nd the usual.
  • The first is used (by some) or accepted (in retrospect) by grammarians when the emphasis is to be retained within the dependent clause.
  • = I wish to kill at least one poor bloke)
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3 Answers
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The normal impulse is to move the negation to the main clause, making the 2nd the usual. The first is used (by some) or accepted (in retrospect) by grammarians when the emphasis is to be retained within the dependent clause. It comes up for discussion when both are negated: I don't wish to not kill anyone (?= I wish to kill at least one poor bloke)
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Hi,

What happens when the verb is not followed by an infinitive? Is either option still possible?

I wish not you would come.

I do not wish you would come.

And I suppose there are also cases where placing 'not' in the two different places renders and entirely different meaning and thus its placements is not interchangable...
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All I can say is that your first sentence is wrong and that your supposition is no doubt right on the money.
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