0
Big A Deal Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

V that S Vnot, V not that S V

What's is the difference between "I think he will not help us" and "I don't think he will help us" ?

and

What's is the difference between "I remember that he was not smart" and "I don't remember that he was smart" ?
  

Top answer

But no real difference (to me) "I remember that he was not smart" - he WASN'T smart, and it's a 'fact'. " and you interrupt "I don't remember that he was smart" - maybe he was smart but you just don't remember it.

— Maverick88

  • But no real difference (to me) "I remember that he was not smart" - he WASN'T smart, and it's a 'fact'.
  • " and you interrupt "I don't remember that he was smart" - maybe he was smart but you just don't remember it.
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.

17 Answers
0
'Think that not...' and 'not to think that...' seem to carry a very similar meaning...Maybe the former pattern is more contemplative or based...But no real difference (to me)

"I remember that he was not smart" - he WASN'T smart, and it's a 'fact'.

"I don't remember that he was smart" - can mean the same if it's just a statement by somebody or ot can mean that you do
0
0
In most cases, these are used interchangeaby, and are presumed to share the same meaning. To my ears they carry a subtle difference in the feeling of certainty. 'I think...' or 'I remember...' is more certain than 'I don't think...' or 'I don't remember...'
0
0
the opnion of maverick88 isn't same with davkett

which is correct?

Two English grammer books I have tell me different information .too
0
0
I'm not convinced of a disagreement here. But what do your two grammar books say?
0
0
One book explans 'Verb not that S V' is same with 'Verb that S V not' like you.

The other likes maverick88

but I think your opinion would be correct. because you are Native speaker -_-a
0
0
I have trouble translating your abbreviated explanations. Please write them out fully so that I can understand them, and see what the differences are. Both Maverick and I have suggested that the two versions you posted are generally considered to have similar meanings
0
0
I'm sorry.
I don't write English well.

I think that mar88 tell me "I remember he was not smart" is not same as "I don't remember that he was smart" through marv88's opnion

is it my mistake?
0
0
I wasn't criticizing your English, just the abbreviated quotations from the grammar books, which were incomplete sentences. Your English is fine.

Maverick is right about the 'remember' examples. However, remembering is a thinking process, one that deals essentially with the past. One really has to translate 'I remember he was not smart' into 'I remember thinking he was not smart'
0
0
I think there really is no controversy here. I and Davkett wrote roughly the same, I just elaborated a bit more..."I remember he was not smart" is really a more certain statement, since you REMEMBER i.e. you KNOW, you're certain about X (more or less)
0
0
I feel it hard to ask what i want to know to a foreigner.

I was hoping you will help me too.
Thank you ^^
0

Related Questions