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Pastsimple Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Unless one doesn't...
In one of my older posts, I've said:
One doesn't often mention lakes in an everyday conversation (unless one doesn't come from Minnesota or Finland).
I meant: "If you are not from Minnesota or Finland, you don't often mention..."
I'm wondering if "unless one doesn't come from" is grammatically correct. I would say it is, but why? Looking at it from a purely logical point of view:
Step#1: unless = if not
Step#2: if not + doesn't = two negatives are positive = if one comes from... (two negatives become positive) ---> this wouldn't make sense together with the first part (doesn't often mention...)
Hmm, I must have just picked up the expression somewhere.
One doesn't often mention lakes in an everyday conversation (unless one doesn't come from Minnesota or Finland).
I meant: "If you are not from Minnesota or Finland, you don't often mention..."
I'm wondering if "unless one doesn't come from" is grammatically correct. I would say it is, but why? Looking at it from a purely logical point of view:
Step#1: unless = if not
Step#2: if not + doesn't = two negatives are positive = if one comes from... (two negatives become positive) ---> this wouldn't make sense together with the first part (doesn't often mention...)
Hmm, I must have just picked up the expression somewhere.
Top answer
It is correct, but it's confusing. It's easy to get confused by overnegation.
- It is correct, but it's confusing.
- It's easy to get confused by overnegation.
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3 Answers
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It is correct, but it's confusing. It's easy to get confused by overnegation.
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I'm fairly confident that what you meant to say was:
One doesn't often mention lakes in an everyday conversation unless one comes from Minnesota or Finland.
Compare:
You don't often mention grandchildren in a conversation unless you are a grandparent.
People don't usually enjoy speaking in public unless they are somewhat experienced at it.
Some p
One doesn't often mention lakes in an everyday conversation unless one comes from Minnesota or Finland.
Compare:
You don't often mention grandchildren in a conversation unless you are a grandparent.
People don't usually enjoy speaking in public unless they are somewhat experienced at it.
Some p
00
CalifJimI'm fairly confident that what you meant to say was:Yes, I did. Somehow the two negations sounded fine, yet a bit illogical, to me. I'm sure I've seen it used that way somewhere. Nevertheless, your version is the logical an
One doesn't often mention lakes in an everyday conversation unless one comes from Minnesota or Finland.
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