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Navitasan Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Should I not
Can one use:
1) Should I not help him because he is your enemy?
2) Shouldn't I help him because he is your enemy?
if the intended meaning is:
A) Should I refrain from helping him because he is your enemy?
I think for that meaning "1" works but "2" does not.
Gratefully,
Navi.
1) Should I not help him because he is your enemy?
2) Shouldn't I help him because he is your enemy?
if the intended meaning is:
A) Should I refrain from helping him because he is your enemy?
I think for that meaning "1" works but "2" does not.
Gratefully,
Navi.
Top answer
I agree. However, I would try to express it in a less ambiguous way.
- I agree.
- However, I would try to express it in a less ambiguous way.
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4 Answers
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navitasanI think for that meaning "1" works but "2" does not.Correct. When "shouldn't" occurs on the left of the subject, the negation applies to the modal. By separating 'should' from 'not', you force the negation to apply to the residue.
CJ
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Thank you very much, GPY and CalifJim,
Yes, but it seems to me that '1' is ambiguous. It could work in both contexts. Is that correct?
Gratefully,
Navi.
Yes, but it seems to me that '1' is ambiguous. It could work in both contexts. Is that correct?
Gratefully,
Navi.
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navitasanIt could work in both contexts. Is that correct?Yes, I suppose it could. Note, however, that the interpretation will depend heavily on the specific content of the residue, the specific situation described. For some of these the mind will gravitate to one interpretation; for others, to another interpretation. It's a matter of knowledge of the world
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