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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Negative infinitives

I always learned to say things such as "I asked they boy not to cross the street" with the infinitive after the negative. However, I´ve heard (from native speakers) something like "I asked the boy to not cross the street". Is there any difference between the two?

Thanks a lot.
  

Top answer

I know that CJ feels strongly that the infinitive should not be split by "not," and he's a native speaker. ) I personally do it often when it helps the emphasis I wish to convey. To my ear, "to not" makes the negative stronger.

— Avangi

  • I know that CJ feels strongly that the infinitive should not be split by "not," and he's a native speaker.
  • ) I personally do it often when it helps the emphasis I wish to convey.
  • To my ear, "to not" makes the negative stronger.
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2 Answers
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I know that CJ feels strongly that the infinitive should not be split by "not," and he's a native speaker. (He's not on site right now.)

I personally do it often when it helps the emphasis I wish to convey.

To my ear, "to not" makes the negative stronger.
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I don't think there exists a difference between the two. The first one is grammatically more acceptable and second is less common in colloquies.

Regards!
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