What's emo and what not

Question

Hi,I'm sure I already asked about this, but I really can't find the thread. It was an old one, I think. Ok, anyway...I don't know if I listen to emo music, because I don't even know what is emo and what (is) not.I'd like to know what would be acceptable and what (would) not.I'm sure you know what to do and what not (to do).It's impossible to know which files it would infect and which it (would) not...and similar sentences.Can I leave out the verbs in parentheses, and just use "not"? I think I was told I can, but that doesn't sound really good to me now. And I can't find the thread.Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

I don't know if I listen to emo music, because I don't even know what is emo and what (is) not.
I'd like to know what would be acceptable and what (would) not (be).
I'm sure you know what to do and what not (to do).
It's impossible to know which files it would infect and which it (would) not (infect).

The first two use the verb to be; the last two don't.
The omissions you suggest are OK in the first two; not in the last two.
Do you see a pattern here?

_____

This opens up a big can of worms. I'll briefly touch on some of the main points.

In the case of verbs other than be, you can omit the lexical verb, but not the operator (or to in case of the infinitive)

Do you know which it would infect and which it wouldn't (infect)?
It depends on which of them has finished the task and which of them hasn't (finished).
Are you sure you know what to do and what not to (do)?

... although, in the first two, but not with the infinitive, you could replace everything after which with not.

Do you know which it would infect and which not?
It depends on which of them has finished the task and which not.

whether acts like which in this way:

We couldn't decide whether the witness told the truth or [didn't (tell the truth) / not].

CJ

Kooyeen · Answer

CalifJimThis opens up a big can of worms.

Aaah! Noo! I don't want no cans of worms!

Seriously, I think I understand, but I also see that if I try to leave out the main verb, chances are I'll get in trouble. So I think I'll include the verbs... after all, I think I like the "complete versions" more. I won't use "what not", but "what would not", "what's not", etc.

Thanks a lot.

What's emo and what not

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