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Aedilis Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
No, I love it
Hello there.
I was taught 'no' should be followed by negative sentence, and 'yes' by positive sentence. So I have been trying to keep this rule when I speak or write in English. Then I found this dialogue in a book written by natives.
A: But if you don't like seafood, we can go someplace else.
B: No. On the contrary, I LOVE seafood!
I would have accepted it as a simple mistake. But I found a similar pattern in the latter part of this book.
Are these intended mistakes? If so, what is the purpose?
I was taught 'no' should be followed by negative sentence, and 'yes' by positive sentence. So I have been trying to keep this rule when I speak or write in English. Then I found this dialogue in a book written by natives.
A: But if you don't like seafood, we can go someplace else.
B: No. On the contrary, I LOVE seafood!
I would have accepted it as a simple mistake. But I found a similar pattern in the latter part of this book.
Are these intended mistakes? If so, what is the purpose?
Top answer
There are two clauses with two different ideas expressed by A. Since this is impromptu conversation, it would be natural to respond to the last idea first. " It would be unnecessary to reply, "No, Let's not go someplace else.
- There are two clauses with two different ideas expressed by A.
- Since this is impromptu conversation, it would be natural to respond to the last idea first.
- " It would be unnecessary to reply, "No, Let's not go someplace else.
- I Love seafood.
- But I believe you would have readily accepted this response.
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2 Answers
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There are two clauses with two different ideas expressed by A. Since this is impromptu conversation, it would be natural to respond to the last idea first. I'd take the "No" as a response to "we can go someplace else." It would be unnecessary to reply, "No, Let's not go someplace else. I Love seafood. But I believe you would have readily accepted this response.
If this were a formal
If this were a formal
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Aha, now I see.
So in this dialog B said 'No' to 'Let's go some place else', not to 'If you don't like seafood'.
Very interesting. Why couldn't I notice that possibility before?
Anyway, thank you again Avangi
So in this dialog B said 'No' to 'Let's go some place else', not to 'If you don't like seafood'.
Very interesting. Why couldn't I notice that possibility before?
Anyway, thank you again Avangi
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