|
I see what I consider improper usage of the word "not" in a lot of writing these days, especially in news articles.
In the following, what do you think is more correct, grammatically speaking?
To say
a) "I'm going to not hit him."
or
b) "I'm not going to hit him."
I think (b) is correct. The first, (a) is a split infinitive and seems to imply you're going to do something else. Yet I see writing examples similar to (a) all over the place these days. Where did these people learn grammar?
#SupportHeForShe
Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson
You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun
|
|
|
|
|
Just use Dutch: Ik ga hem niet slaan. 
|
|
|
|
|
...or German: Ich bin schlagen sie nicht!
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
|
|
|
|
|
Your German is impeccable !
|
|
|
|
|
I lived in München for six years and learned High German (Hochdeutsch) at a Swiss language school taught by a Venezuelan teacher (who spoke no English)!
Needless to say, I didn't understand half of what the locals said since they all spoke Bayerisch!
For Example:
- "I mog Bier!"
...instead of...
- "Ich möchte ein Bier, bitte!"
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Though I disagree with your reasoning, B is better for that particular sample set.
And bear in mind that I have no idea what a split infinitive is.
I have found that many people put the word "only" too early in many sentences.
Compare:
Only I will hit him
I will only hit him.
I will hit only him.
On the other hand...
God only knows.
Only God knows.
|
|
|
|
|
...and then there is inflection; the way you say something.
For example:
- "This is a fine country we live in!"
Depending upon how you say it it can mean the exact opposite of another way of saying the same words!
Whoever said English was an easy language?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
|
|
|
|
|
Are to talking to me?[^]
#SupportHeForShe
Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson
You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun
|
|
|
|
|
I hold sarcasm as one of Britain's greatest inventions.
if (Object.DividedByZero == true) { Universe.Implode(); }
Meus ratio ex fortis machina. Simplicitatis de formae ac munus. -Foothill, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
English was not a language, its a mix of German, French, Spanish, Italin, Latin, Flemish...it was not designed it happended...
|
|
|
|
|
Quote: split in·fin·i·tive
noun
a construction consisting of an infinitive with an adverb or other word inserted between to and the verb, e.g., she seems to really like it.
Basically, an infinitive is the "whole word" or the basic form of the word, so "to run", "to sing", "to bleat", "to see" --- the "to" is part of the word. Consequently, putting a word between "to" and "run" such as "to not run" splits the infinitive and confuses the meaning.
In each of your "only", the meaning is clear; "Only" applies to the word immediately following. Unless it doesn't as when there's a comma, in which case it applies to the preceding word.
God only knows.
God, only, knows.
#SupportHeForShe
Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson
You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun
|
|
|
|
|
TheGreatAndPowerfulOz wrote: the "to" is part of the word
Is not.
|
|
|
|
|
is to!
#SupportHeForShe
Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson
You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun
|
|
|
|
|
Surely "I am not going to punch his elephanting lights out" is more correct. 
|
|
|
|
|
Bingo!
#SupportHeForShe
Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson
You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun
|
|
|
|
|
I am so not going to not answer this question...
The answer is B.
|
|
|
|
|
What do you make of a "near miss"? 
|
|
|
|
|
If there is one thing the English can be given credit for it is English and I'm sure they would say (b). The other is usage found elsewhere in the world. (a) invents a new verb - the verb to "not hit". This fits with the verb "not fly" for example. I am busily "not flying" right now.
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
modified 4-Aug-17 19:42pm.
|
|
|
|
|
pwasser wrote: verb "not fly" for example
No such thing. You are standing or sitting or walking or laying or some other ground-based thing, not "not flying". 
#SupportHeForShe
Government can give you nothing but what it takes from somebody else. A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you've got, including your freedom.-Ezra Taft Benson
You must accept 1 of 2 basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not alone. Either way, the implications are staggering!-Wernher von Braun
|
|
|
|
|
TheGreatAndPowerfulOz wrote: Where did these people learn grammar?
They didn't. Schools stopped teaching grammar, along with spelling, years ago when the education establishment decided it was good to not force children to learn rules.
|
|
|
|
|
I understand what you're saying...
But, the two sentences, to me, have very different meanings.
a) I'm going to not hit him - implication, there will be no hitting, but kicking is a potential; regardless, he needs a smack down. If my mother told me to not hit my brother, I could use this sentence, kick my brother, and then my mother would say, "You knew what I meant!" and I would get hit
b) I'm not going to hit him - implication, no physical violence will occur
|
|
|
|
|
Tim Carmichael wrote: b) I'm not going to hit him - implication, no physical violence will occur
same applies
b) I'm not going to hit him ... but that also doesn't mean I wont bite him
a) is as OP said it's considered 'bad grammar,' but only in English. As others also pointed out different languages (German, Dutch) do change the order. Given all these (and others) are Germanic rooted languages it's odd what's OK in one is considered bad in another. But bad does not mean wrong, perhaps 'ambiguous,' 'incomplete' or 'unnatural/uncommon' or even 'outdated'
I'm going to hit him not. .... I'm going to hit not him.
!hit(him)
hit(!him)
^hit(him)
// and perhaps a few others
Sin tack
the any key okay
|
|
|
|
|
Exactly my reaction, too - but case A could also be a complete rejection of some proposal from others: I am doing the opposite, I am going to defend him! The main thing is that "to not do it" is a very explicit rejection, not just refrain from doing something.
Another example: Religious people sometimes claim that rejecting the idea of a divine creator is just as much a religion as believing in a deity. A proper response to that is "Yes, and my favorite hobby is to not collect staps".
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
