What is the different between these sentences?

Question

My grammar book says that these sentences are not synonymous:
"I like it not working on Fridays" and "I don't like it working on Fridays."
But I can't distinguish the difference between them.
I think both sentences mean "I won't work on Fridays."
Could you tell me, please?

GPY · Accepted Answer

As far as I can tell, the meanings are supposed to be, respectively:

"I like the fact that I don't (have to) work on Fridays."
"I don't like the fact that I (have to) work on Fridays."

which are opposites, of course.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

I like it not working on Fridays. I'm glad I don't have to work Fridays. I like to stay at home or relax or do errands on Fridays.

I don't like it working on Fridays. I have to work on Friday, but I don't like it. I wish I had Fridays off.

CalifJim · Answer

Takehisa TanakaI think both sentences mean "I won't work on Fridays."

Let's clear this up first. Those sentences do not have this meaning. "won't" indicates refusal there.

I won't work on Fridays ~ I refuse to work on Fridays.

There is nothing in either of your example sentences that means that.

Takehisa Tanaka1. 1. I like it not working on Fridays.
2. I don't like it working on Fridays.

In what I think is the intended reading, they have these meanings:

1. I like not being at work on Fridays.
2. I do not like being at work on Fridays.

It's possible to like (or dislike) both being at work and not being at work on Fridays, so the two are not synonymous. Maybe you just like Fridays whether you are at work or not; maybe you just do not like Fridays whether you are at work or not.

This is probably what your grammar book is drawing attention to. If not, then I don't know what it could be.

CJ

What is the different between these sentences?

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