Diamondrg  +  178591 Tue, 03 Jan 06 06:41 PM -  I didn't buy it because it was so expensive. Is it possible to interpret this sentence as this: "I didn't buy it not because of its expensiveness but because of something else."? Diamondrg Joined on Fri, Dec 2 2005 Contributing Member 1,043

	davkett  +  178596 Tue, 03 Jan 06 07:03 PM In the right context, yes. "I didn't buy it because it was so expensive; expense had nothing to do with it; I didn't buy it because it was ugly." (That's a native speaker's opinion, only.  I don't know how to support that opinion on a grammatical basis.) davkett Joined on Tue, Jun 7 2005 Pennsylvania, USA Senior Member 2,788 "The rose stays fresh in its name..." -Bernard of Morlay

	Sam C  +  178601 Tue, 03 Jan 06 07:24 PM i can't see me interpreting it that way. another interpretation:  my reason for buying it was not that it was expensive (although it was), but some other reason. Sam C Joined on Mon, Dec 19 2005 New Member 45

	davkett  +  178609 Tue, 03 Jan 06 07:36 PM  Sam C wrote:   my reason for buying it was not that it was expensive (although it was), but some other reason. Yes, that would be possible in the context where the thing was, in fact, bought.  But it would not be possible in the context where the thing was not bought. davkett

	Diamondrg  +  178618 Tue, 03 Jan 06 08:10 PM well, davkett thank you for answering. then, is it possible to interprete the same sentence as: "I didn't buy it because of its expensiveness."? If yes, which would cometo your mind first? That I didn't buy it because of its expensiveness or because of something else?  Diamondrg

	davkett  +  178634 Tue, 03 Jan 06 09:25 PM  Diamondrg wrote: well, davkett thank you for answering. then, is it possible to interprete the same sentence as: "I didn't buy it because of its expensiveness."? If yes, which would cometo your mind first? That I didn't buy it because of its expensiveness or because of something else?  Without context, the meaning that would come most easily to mind is--  "I didn't buy it, and the reason I didn't is that it was too expensive." davkett