Question (the sixth day)

Question

Hi Teachers,Which is the correct option according to the colored sentence? Is there a better one?a) What could not Olivia do after she said, ‘Oh Alex! I’m afraid!’?b) What could not Olivia do when she said, ‘Oh Alex! I’m afraid!’?Alex smiled. ‘Yes. Perhaps.’ He took his wife’s face in his hands and looked into her unhappy eyes. ‘Don’t cry, my love,’ he said quietly. ‘Give me a smile before I go.’‘Oh Alex! I’m afraid!’ Olivia could not stop crying. ‘I love you, I love you,’ she whispered. ‘Go quickly. And be careful. Please.’Thanks in advance

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

What couldn't Olivia do / What could Olivia not do when/as...

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Mister Micawber,

Thank you for your reply. So there are two options:

a) What couldn't Olivia do?

b) What could Olivia not do when/as she said, ‘Oh Alex! I’m afraid!’?

I have a question Mister:

Why in 'b' is 'What could Olivia not do ...? and not 'What couldn't Olivia do ...?

Thanks in advance

Mister Micawber · Answer

Yes, two options. As for your 2nd question, I suppose it is just that in a question, the subject inverts with the first unit of a verb phrase ('Why has he been sleeping?'), but that the contraction is not separable (Why do you not care? Why don't you care?').

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Mister Micawber,

Thank you for your explanation and help.

Best,

TS

Question (the sixth day)

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