To not to use

Question

request you not to use speaker phones OR request you to not to usewhich one is grammatically correct?

LouiseT · Accepted Answer

We request that you do not use the speaker phones.

Anonymous · Answer

I HAVE CHECKED MY GRAMMAR BOOKS AND PROOFREAD IT BEFORE SUBMISSION

Saunee,

I believe that native speakers here in the United States place "not"

in either location:

(1) They will ask you not to use cellphones.

(2) They will ask you to not use cellphones.

I think that some books suggest that the "correct" location is

before the infinitive (sentence No. 1).

Somebody reminded us that Shakespeare wrote:

To be or not to be.

(He did NOT write: To be or to not be.)

Thank you.

Avangi · Answer

Sauneerequest you not to use speaker phones OR request you to not to use

Hi, Saunee.
I'm not sure if your double-"to" in your second example was an oversight.

That, of course, would be incorrect. (two infinitive markers)

Either position is used for "not."

Some members, notably CJ, are opposed to splitting the infinitive with with "not" under any conditions.

I feel it gives the emphasis I want in certain cases.

I agree with Louise T about the use of "We request you to X." "Request" doesn't take an indirect object.

"We request that you X" and "We ask you to X" are acceptable.
I requested amnesty. She requested cream in her coffee. We request the pleasure of your company.
We ask you to not use your phone. We ask you not to use your phone. We ask that you not use your phone.

- A.

Edit. I requested amnesty for my brother. I suppose "for my brother" is an indirect object.

Ladder teal 676 · Answer

We request you not to

Anonymous · Answer

I request you to not to charge anything for this

To not to use

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