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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Nothing less often than
Would anyone tell me how to grammatically analyze and interpret this sentence?
The free man, says Spinoza, thinks of nothing less often than of death.
Since negation+comparative=superlative, the sentence means: The free man thinks of death less often than anything else, said Spinoza.
Is this correct?
I'd appreciate any comments.
The free man, says Spinoza, thinks of nothing less often than of death.
Since negation+comparative=superlative, the sentence means: The free man thinks of death less often than anything else, said Spinoza.
Is this correct?
I'd appreciate any comments.
Top answer
That's correct. But negative + comparative = negative comparative, not superlative. The free man thinks of everything else more often than death.
- That's correct.
- But negative + comparative = negative comparative, not superlative.
- The free man thinks of everything else more often than death.
- (I hardly ever think of death.
- Well, just when I'm awake.
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5 Answers
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That's correct. But negative + comparative = negative comparative, not superlative. The free man thinks of everything else more often than death.
(I hardly ever think of death. Well, just when I'm awake. And I dream about it sometimes.)
(I hardly ever think of death. Well, just when I'm awake. And I dream about it sometimes.)
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Hi Mister Micawber,
1. I used to study English Grammar in Chinese version. Does negative here mean "nothing", and comparative here mean "less"?
2. Is "nothing less" equal to "everything else"?
Thank you.
Tinanam
1. I used to study English Grammar in Chinese version. Does negative here mean "nothing", and comparative here mean "less"?
2. Is "nothing less" equal to "everything else"?
Thank you.
Tinanam
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1. I used to study English Grammar in Chinese version.Ack! That sounds very dicey.
Does negative here mean "nothing", and comparative here mean "less"? Is "nothing less" equal to "everything else"?-- Yes, that's how I read them.
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Hi Mister Micawber,
This sentence structure is very difficult. I'll have to remember it.
Thank you very much for your help.
Tinanam
This sentence structure is very difficult. I'll have to remember it.
Thank you very much for your help.
Tinanam
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Thank you guys for commenting on my question.
I should've written like this.
StartFragment>
The free man thinks of nothing less often than of death.
Since negation+comparative=superlative, the sentence means: A free man thinks of death least often of all things. (i.e., The free man thinks of death less often than anything else.)
I should've written like this.
StartFragment>
The free man thinks of nothing less often than of death.
Since negation+comparative=superlative, the sentence means: A free man thinks of death least often of all things. (i.e., The free man thinks of death less often than anything else.)
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