0
Hans51 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

To not VS. not to

1) I'd like to advise you to not try to teach it.
2) I'd like to advise you not to try to teach it.

I think that to not is unnatural and not to is correct or is there a meaning difference in the two sentences?

Thank you so much in advance.
  

Top answer

Many people have been harangued by their high school English teachers not to split an infinitive. #1 is a split infinitive.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Many people have been harangued by their high school English teachers not to split an infinitive.
  • #1 is a split infinitive.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

5 Answers
0
Many people have been harangued by their high school English teachers not to split an infinitive. #1 is a split infinitive.
0
0
Thank you and do you think that the #1 is possible? And then is there a meaning difference?
0
0
Hans51Thank you and do you think that the #1 is possible?
An English teacher would mark it wrong. You might see this on a blog somewhere, so yes, it is possible.

It is OK in this construction:

To not try is to set yourself up for failure.
0
0
Thank you and then how about meaning? I think that there is no meaning difference between the two examples, then.
0
0
Hans51Thank you and then how about meaning? I think that there is no meaning difference between the two examples, then.
Right. The placement of an adverb in a sentence in most cases makes for little difference in meaning.
0

Related Questions