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Hanuman_2000 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

neither.. nor

Hello,

1. I can't see a bird here.

2. I can't see a buterfly here.

I have to join the above sentences using neither ... nor

a) I can see neither a bird nor a butterfly here.

b) I see neither a bird nor a butterfly here.

I am here a bit confused. Shall I use "can" as it is in (a) or leave it?

Which one is correct between (a) and (b)?

Any rule about it.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

If the instruction is to join the above sentences, then how can you justify dropping the "can"? I suppose one may argue that "can" is present only to enable the negative. That is, if it were positive, we'd say, "I see a bird here.

— Avangi

  • If the instruction is to join the above sentences, then how can you justify dropping the "can"?
  • I suppose one may argue that "can" is present only to enable the negative.
  • That is, if it were positive, we'd say, "I see a bird here.
  • " I don't think there's any applicable rule.
  • You just try to follow the directions as best you can, and try to guess what's in the teacher's mind - and pray he's not too picky.
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1 Answers
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If the instruction is to join the above sentences, then how can you justify dropping the "can"?

I suppose one may argue that "can" is present only to enable the negative. That is, if it were positive, we'd say, "I see a bird here. I see a butterfly here." But we may just as well say, "I can see etc."

I don't think there's any applicable rule. You just try to follow the direc
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