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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Shouldn't/mustn't or shoud he not/must he not?
Hi. I think both pairs of the following are correct. If they are, please tell me what is the difference (if there are any).
1. Shouldn't he do this?
Should he not do this?
2. Mustn't he do this?
Must he not do this?
1. Shouldn't he do this?
Should he not do this?
2. Mustn't he do this?
Must he not do this?
Top answer
The second sentence in each pair is overly formal and is seldom used nowadays.
- The second sentence in each pair is overly formal and is seldom used nowadays.
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2 Answers
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The second sentence in each pair is overly formal and is seldom used nowadays.
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Although it's acceptable to use contractions in this manner, you may want to avoid them in certain contexts of formal writing. When you say, "Musn't he do this?" the syntax breaks down to, "Must not he do this?" The syntax is awkward when we're looking at the expanded version of the sentence.
Otherwise, contractions should be fine in formal writing. As long as the ex
Otherwise, contractions should be fine in formal writing. As long as the ex
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