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Stenka25 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

'to not use' problem



In Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, there's the following phrase.


• an appeal to the army to not use too much force..


What I want to ask is

in grammar book

they said

we should put 'not' in front of 'to-v' to apply negative meaning to 'to-v'.

But in the above example, 'not' is between 'to' and 'use'.

Can you tell me HOW THIS HAPPENED.
  

Top answer

In common use, "not" will move around. I'm asking you not to go. I'm asking you to not go.

— BarbaraPA

  • In common use, "not" will move around.
  • I'm asking you not to go.
  • I'm asking you to not go.
  • There's really not a lot of difference - the second might be seen as more emphatic.
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6 Answers
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In common use, "not" will move around.
I'm asking you not to go.
I'm asking you to not go.

There's really not a lot of difference - the second might be seen as more emphatic.
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But In Michael Swan's Book, "Practical English Usage"


Negative infinitives are normally made by putting 'not' before the infinitive.


Try not to be late. (NOT Try to not be late) (NOT Try to don't be late)


Why this prestigious book say otherwise?


C
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Stenka25

But In Michael Swan's Book, "Practical English Usage"


Negative infinitives are normally made by putting 'not' before the infinitive.


Try not to be late. (NOT Try to not be late) (NOT Try to don't be late)


Why this prestigious b
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Philip.

Thanks very much for your sincere opinion.
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an appeal to the army to not use too much force
It's quite possible to hear this structure in ordinary conversations. Sometimes it is even found in fairly formal writing. Nevertheless, it is better, in my opinion, to say or write:

an appeal to the army not to use too much force

There may be cases where other adverbs split the
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Thanks CalifJim.

You are always a great help to me.

Thanks.
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