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Shanks8532 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Usage of not to and to verb
I' ve been confused how to use "not to ~ and to " and "not to ~ and verb".
For example
1, It is easy not to speak English and to read English books.
?"not " is for "speak" only ?? which means, it's easy not to speak English but it's easy to read English books?
2, It's a waste of time not to study English and to meet friends?
?This "not" here is for only study? which means, waste of time if you don't study English but waste of time if you meet friends?
3, It's a waste of time not to study English and meet friends?
? what does this sentence mean? The same as No.2?
4, It did not show the process and indicate the result.
?It didn't show the process and it didn't indicate the result either?
I would be grateful if you could give me answers and some explanaitions about the usage of not to and etc...
For example
1, It is easy not to speak English and to read English books.
?"not " is for "speak" only ?? which means, it's easy not to speak English but it's easy to read English books?
2, It's a waste of time not to study English and to meet friends?
?This "not" here is for only study? which means, waste of time if you don't study English but waste of time if you meet friends?
3, It's a waste of time not to study English and meet friends?
? what does this sentence mean? The same as No.2?
4, It did not show the process and indicate the result.
?It didn't show the process and it didn't indicate the result either?
I would be grateful if you could give me answers and some explanaitions about the usage of not to and etc...
Top answer
Hello. I can see why you are confused. The examples that you have given have unclear meanings and you would need to ask the speaker for clarification.
- Hello.
- I can see why you are confused.
- The examples that you have given have unclear meanings and you would need to ask the speaker for clarification.
- Examples with clearer meanings:- I prefer not to study English and/(but) to meet my friends instead.
- It did not show the process nor indicate the result.
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4 Answers
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Hello.
I can see why you are confused.
The examples that you have given have unclear meanings and you would need to ask the speaker for clarification.
Examples with clearer meanings:-
I prefer not to study English and/(but) to meet my friends instead.
It did not show the process nor indicate the result.
I can see why you are confused.
The examples that you have given have unclear meanings and you would need to ask the speaker for clarification.
Examples with clearer meanings:-
I prefer not to study English and/(but) to meet my friends instead.
It did not show the process nor indicate the result.
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Thank you so much for your answer, Louise.
The examples I have used weren't good and realistic I guess.
Very comprehensive examples from you,
The examples I have used weren't good and realistic I guess.
Very comprehensive examples from you,
what about if the sentence "I prefer not to study English and/(but) to meet my friends instead. " hasn't got "instead", and uses "and " instead of "but",
which is " I prefer not to study English and to meet my friends.". In this case,00
Hello Yoshi
"I prefer not to study English and to meet my friends instead. "
Means that you prefer not to study, you prefer to meet your friends. (Your option 2 is correct).
"I prefer not to study English and to meet my friends instead. "
Means that you prefer not to study, you prefer to meet your friends. (Your option 2 is correct).
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Thank you again, my question has been solved, thanks for your kindness.
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