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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Not to have or to not have

Hi, when we want to use a to-infinitive as sort of a noun, can we place the word "not" before the word "if" or after?

We had a vote not to have/elect him as president of our association.

Or can we place 'not' after 'if'?

We had a vote to not have/elect him as president of our association.
  

Top answer

You don't have an "if" in your sentences. Do you mean "to"? Something like this: To not accept a gift that was offered is an insult in some cultures.

— BarbaraPA

  • You don't have an "if" in your sentences.
  • Do you mean "to"?
  • Something like this: To not accept a gift that was offered is an insult in some cultures.
  • Not to accept a gift that was offered is an insult in some cultures.
  • I prefer the first - but there are some who really object to splitting the infinitive.
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2 Answers
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You don't have an "if" in your sentences. Do you mean "to"?

Something like this:

To not accept a gift that was offered is an insult in some cultures.

Not to accept a gift that was offered is an insult in some cultures.

I prefer the first - but there are some who really object to splitting the infinitive.
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Anonymousplace the word "not" before the word "if" or after?
if???

We had a vote not to elect him as president.
(a vote to elect and a vote not to elect seem redundant.)

Write:

We decided not to elect him as president.
We decided not to vote for him as president.

We had a vote on whether to elec
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