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Tashiro Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Negative sentence with the phrase "on purpose"
Hi, could you please help me?
"I didn't do it on purpose."
I read the sentence above in two ways.
Which does the "not" modify in the sentence, "do it on purpose" or "do it"?
"I didn't do it on purpose."
I read the sentence above in two ways.
Which does the "not" modify in the sentence, "do it on purpose" or "do it"?
Top answer
It could be either one. The context would usually indicate the intended meaning.
- It could be either one.
- The context would usually indicate the intended meaning.
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3 Answers
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It could be either one. The context would usually indicate the intended meaning.
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tashiroWhich does the "not" modify in the sentence, "do it on purpose" or "do it"?In 99% of cases, 'not' modifies 'on purpose', and if you want the other meaning, you say it differently:
I purposely did not do it.
I intentionally did not do it.
My not doing it was intentional.
CJ
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