0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Not
"The creation late last year of the group Momentum, which is open to non-Labour members as well as members, is, according to the organisers, not to deselect anti-Corbyn or Blairite MPs but to harness this enthusiasm of the young." (The Guardian.)
Is the adverb "not" part of the verb phrase "is not to deselect" or is it merely a modifier of the infinitive "to deselect" in the above sentence?
Is the adverb "not" part of the verb phrase "is not to deselect" or is it merely a modifier of the infinitive "to deselect" in the above sentence?
Top answer
"not" negates the verb "is". I'm not sure if that answers your question ...
- "not" negates the verb "is".
- I'm not sure if that answers your question ...
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
"not" negates the verb "is". I'm not sure if that answers your question ...
00
GPY"not" negates the verb "is". I'm not sure if that answers your question ...Thank you for the reply.
What I've meant was the question about the "be + infinitive" structure used in negation, if it's used that way at all, i.e. the structure used when we talk about arrangements or giving orders.
00
It can be negated to make a negative order or prohibition:
You are to go home. (order)
You are not to go home. (prohibition)
As far as I can think, negation doesn't really work when talking about an arrangement -- or, rather, it turns into a prohibition again. For example, if "We are to leave at 6 o'clock tomorrow" is stating an arrangement, then "We are not to
You are to go home. (order)
You are not to go home. (prohibition)
As far as I can think, negation doesn't really work when talking about an arrangement -- or, rather, it turns into a prohibition again. For example, if "We are to leave at 6 o'clock tomorrow" is stating an arrangement, then "We are not to
0
Related Questions