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TasmanTiger Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Not a single ~

Hello, again!

Not a single mistake did I find in your composition.


When the inversion is changed into normal word order,

the sentence will be this pattern below:


= I didn't find a single mistake in your composition.


cf. I found not a single mistake in your composition. ( o, x)


I think 'didn't find' is correct

but a friend of mine insists 'found not a single ' should be correct,too .


I'm waiting for your replies!


Thanks,

Good luck!
  

Top answer

TasmanTiger a friend of mine insists 'found not a single ' should be correct,too . It may be technically correct, but I can't imagine anyone really saying it! It's not the most natural way to express the idea.

— CalifJim

  • TasmanTiger a friend of mine insists 'found not a single ' should be correct,too .
  • It may be technically correct, but I can't imagine anyone really saying it!
  • It's not the most natural way to express the idea.
  • "didn't find" is also correct, of course, and it has the advantage of being more idiomatic.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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TasmanTigera friend of mine insists 'found not a single ' should be correct,too .
It may be technically correct, but I can't imagine anyone really saying it! It's not the most natural way to express the idea. "didn't find" is also correct, of course, and it has the advantage of being more idiomatic.

CJ
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I have no idea. = I don't have any idea. (o)

cf. I have not any idea. (X)

Am I right?
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I appreciate it, CJ

Good Time!
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