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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Not a word fell from his lips.

Hi

Would you say that both of the following sentences are equally natural?

Not a word fell from his lips.

Not a word did fall from his lips.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Mr. Tom Would you say that both of the following sentences are equally natural? Not a word fell from his lips.

— CalifJim

  • Mr.
  • Tom Would you say that both of the following sentences are equally natural?
  • Not a word fell from his lips.
  • Not a word did fall from his lips.
  • No, not equally.
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3 Answers
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Mr. TomWould you say that both of the following sentences are equally natural?

Not a word fell from his lips.

Not a word did fall from his lips.
No, not equally. The first sounds much more natural. The second doesn'
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Oh, I am so grateful, CJ!

So whenever the subject contains the negation, we don't invert the sentence. Right?

(A husband after the death of his wife)

Hardly a day passes when I don't think of her.

instead of



Hardly does a day pass when I don't think of her.

Please shed some light on this.

To
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Mr. TomSo whenever the subject contains the negation, we don't invert the sentence. Right?

(A husband after the death of his wife)

Hardly a day passes when I don't think of her.

instead of

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