0
Debpriya De Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Use of infinitives

1. I don't want you to come.
2. I want you not to come.
Is there any difference in meaning between the two sentences ?
  

Top answer

Some might perceive a difference in meaning, but the only difference I can detect is that the second one is very awkward and sounds quite unnatural.

— Philip

  • Some might perceive a difference in meaning, but the only difference I can detect is that the second one is very awkward and sounds quite unnatural.
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.

3 Answers
0
Some might perceive a difference in meaning, but the only difference I can detect is that the second one is very awkward and sounds quite unnatural.
0
0
Althought the #2 sentence appeared not wrong, it does sound awkward, and I personally believe the issue is in the construction. The # 2 patterrn does exist in certain verbs of "intension" which may carry a varying degree of emphasis such as "like", "perfer", "desire" and "plan" etc, i.e. " I prefer not to
0
0
Debpriya De1. I don't want you to come.
2. I want you not to come.
The negation is virtually always transferred into the main clause with certain verbs, including want ... to and think that.

I don't want you to ... instead of I want you not to ...
I don't think that ... instead of I think that ... don't ...
0

Related Questions