0
Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Not

Hi,

It's from the BBC web site: "Syria may be distracted and preoccupied by events inside the country, but so
much that it could not have prevented the Golan incident if it had wanted it not to happen?"

My question is: why isn't the adverb 'not' put between 'but' and 'so' here?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Anonymous why isn't the adverb 'not' put between 'but' and 'so' here? Note the question mark at the end. Here's the intention: Syria may be distracted and preoccupied by events inside the country, but ( is it distracted and preoccupied) so much that it could not have prevented the Golan incident if it had wanted it not to happen?

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous why isn't the adverb 'not' put between 'but' and 'so' here?
  • Note the question mark at the end.
  • Here's the intention: Syria may be distracted and preoccupied by events inside the country, but ( is it distracted and preoccupied) so much that it could not have prevented the Golan incident if it had wanted it not to happen?
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
Anonymouswhy isn't the adverb 'not' put between 'but' and 'so' here?
Note the question mark at the end. Here's the intention:

Syria may be distracted and preoccupied by events inside the country,

but (is it distracted and preoccupied) so much that it could not have prevented the Golan incident if it had wanted it not to happen?
0
0
Thank you, CJ, for your very usefultx reply. Indeed.
0

Related Questions