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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Placing the negator
She didn’t think he could do it
She thought he couldn’t do it
Do they mean the same?
She thought he couldn’t do it
Do they mean the same?
Top answer
Yes. The first is the natural one-- native speakers transfer the negation to the main clause.
- Yes.
- The first is the natural one-- native speakers transfer the negation to the main clause.
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6 Answers
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Yes. The first is the natural one-- native speakers transfer the negation to the main clause.
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Yes. The first is the natural one-- native speakers transfer the negation to the main clause.
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Mister Micawber.I'm sorry, but are you saying that the second example is not native English?
Yes. The first is the natural one-- native speakers transfer the negation to the main clause.
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And here?
I thought you couldn't come.
I didn't think you could come?
I thought you couldn't come.
I didn't think you could come?
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You leave the negation in the subordinate clause when faced with evidence contrary to a previous negative claim. It points out a contradiction and expresses a sort of false puzzlement about it at the same time.
-- I can't come to the party.
-- Sorry to hear it. We'll miss you.
Later:
-- Here I am. Nice party!
-- I thought you couldn't come.
-- I can't come to the party.
-- Sorry to hear it. We'll miss you.
Later:
-- Here I am. Nice party!
-- I thought you couldn't come.
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I'm sorry, but are you saying that the second example is not native English?It is natural English only in the case which CJ outlines.
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