Search results for 'tag:Negatives tag:Conditionals' matching tags 'Negatives' and 'Conditionals'

Re: summits

New2grammar — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:03:42 GMT

I thought I would be able to understand the statement after getting the right meaning for summit but it's still unclear to me as to why unconditional summits are deemed to be a negative thing. I know rougue leaders are a negative here but why the writer focussed on unconditional summits? In other words, can you help me understand

"his plans for unconditional summits with rogue leaders ". Thanks in advance!

Re: Tense in conditional sentence

Tanit — Sun, 04 May 2008 10:56:28 GMT

Hi, N2G,

Besides in indirect questions (the examples previously given), if + will works also to indicate volition (or refusal in its negative form, "if + won't" ) or insistence, and, yes, it can be used at the beginning of a sentence. Here are the links to some other threads where these kinds of if + will were discussed. Hope you'll find them useful.

http://www.englishforums.com/English/IfAdjectiveClauses/zjqbg/post.htm
http://www.englishforums.com/English/NoCondition/vrcvh/post.htm
http://www.englishforums.com/English/IfClauseFuture/2/cwgxp/Post.htm

Re: Question about what tense to use in this kind of sentences.

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:24:31 GMT

conditional sentences are four types: the first is called probable condition in the future like if i see you at the party tomorrow, i will give the prize. if we meet in the conference hall tonight, we will take a group photo. the second is an unreal condition, or contrary to the fact condition or improbable condition or impossible condition to be fulfilled in the present time because there is no time for the condition to be met, so tnere will be no result. such as if you went to the town now you could buy us some fish. there is now time for the action to be done now and now is a short period of time it finishes as soon i finish my sentence. the condition is unreal and the result can't be shown. if you studied for the exam, you would pass but there is no time for him to study and consequently to pass. the fact is he doesn't study so he won't pass. when we convert into a conditional sentence the condition is opposite the fact and the tense becomes the past of that in the fact. the third is an unreal condition in the past. the condition is opposite the fact and the tense is the past of that in the fact. he didn't study so he didn't pass. if he had studied, he would have passed. the past from the simple past is past perfect. when the statement in the fact is positive the condition is negative and vice versa.

Re: did I / can I/ have I in affirmative clauses

Tanit — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:08:35 GMT

Hi Giuseppe, and welcome!

The structure you're referring to is called "inversion."

Your examples fall into a singular category (that of negative/restrictive expression) which includes other expressions, such as barely, scarcely, hardly, seldom, little, never, under no circumstances, at no time, etc (there are many more!)

Besides in direct questions, inversion is also used:

In short tags. "I like it!" "So do I"
In formal/emphatic conditional sentences: "Should you need further information, please call ..."
When expressing wishes starting with may: "May you find what you're searching for."
Sometimes in indirect questions, especially when the subject is too long (cannot think of an example right now, sorry!)
Sometimes (quite literary) after as, so, than: "She was very pretty, as were her sisters."

There can be other circumstances in which inversion occurs; these are the ones that came to my mind.

As for your examples, I think the first one needs a past simple because you've got a time reference (Only yesterday did I realise...). I also would put an object (it) after repeat.

I'm not a native either, so you'd probably better wait for one of them.

Re: a question of "Simple Present Tense"

Mr. Profenglish — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:47:48 GMT

Anonymous wrote:

Hi everybody,

I have a question about the Negative Form of "Simple Present Tense", please help me.

Can I use "I don't read the book right now" to express the meaning of "I'm not reading the book right now"?

Thanks a lot in advance.

***********

Here is a summary about the present simple tense with all the forms of it plus examples

* * *

Form

Examples

Notes

Affirmative( Positive ) form:

Base form

S- form

1. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.

2. The world is round

3. He always eats a sandwich for lunch

4. My classes begin at nine.

5. She prefers to stay at home.

6. He appears to be asleep.

7. That belongs to me.

8. I remember my first teacher.

9. If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

10. If he comes early, he will catch the bus.

Present Simple Tense is used :

i. to show general statement of fact

ii. to express habitual or everyday activity

iii. with verbs of: senses, mental activity, possession and attitudes

iv. with conditional clauses type one.

Remarks:

Â§ Singular subjects take the S-from

Â§ Plural subjects take the Base form

Â§ ( he, she, it ) + S. form

Â§ ( we, they, you, I ) + Base form

S. = subject

inf. = infinitive form of the verb

S- form = verb + s

Base form = verb without ( s )

Negative form:

(do, does + not + inf.

1. They do not work at the hospital.

2. She does not go to the university everyday

Contracted Negative form:

donât + inf.

doesnât + inf.

1. They donât work in a bank.

2. I donât recognize that man

3. She doesnât prefer to stay at home.

Wh- question form :

Wh- + ( do / does ) + S. + inf. + ...?

1. Where do you live?

2. When does she go to work everyday?

3. Why do I like that nonsense?

Yes/No question form :

(Do / Does ) + S. + inf. + â¦ ?

Do they need a help?

Does he mean that book?

Short Answer form :

Yes, + S. + ( do / does ).

No, + S. + ( donât / doesnât )

Yes, he does. / yes, they do. / Yes, I do.

no, I donât. / No, he doesnât / No, they donât.

***

Regards,

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Re: did we have

Yankee — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:05:58 GMT

Basically, it's an inversion of the verb and the subject, used for emphasis (as Philip mentioned).

You'll often find this sort of emphatic inversion in sentences in which there is a negative word or idea at the beginning of the sentence. You'll also see this in conditional sentences in which 'if' has been omitted. For example:

- Never in my life have I seen such a mess! (= I have never seen such a mess in my life.)
- Hardly had I climbed into bed when someone started pounding at the door.
- No sooner had I gotten into the tub than the telephone rang.
- Under no circumstances will I ever give my approval for such a hair-brained scheme!
- Little did I know that he was actually a scam artist.
- Only after she had made 50 telephone calls was she able to find a replacement.
- Not until they had tried every means possible to resuscitate her did they take her off life support.
- Had I known this before you began, I would not have agreed to fund the project.

Re: is 'if' omitted here?

SimpleHearted — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:11:58 GMT

Loojka wrote:

Both can be correct, depending on what you're trying to say.
I would give anything that she 'asked' me to. - I would give anything that she wanted me to.
I would give anything if she asked me to. (condition emphasized) I would not give anything, unless she asked me to.

This explanation of mine seems a bit confusing to me now

Quite confusing it really is, I agree (no hard feelings, of course ), but I must also object that your explanation isn't quite correct either!

I was long ago taught that, if I were to express a so called "subjunctive condition" (i.e. the one with "implied negative"), I should always use should/would in the principal clause, and the simple past tense in the conditional (if) clause.

So, the meaning of:
I would give anything if she asked me to. (the one and only correct form!)
is:
"I would really like to give her anything she could possibly want! The sole 'problemo' is that she doesn't ask me to give it to her!"

On the other hand, the sentence:
I would give anything that she asked me to.
is IMHO grammatically impossible and totally incorrect! It could only mean:
I will give her anything (that) she asks for!
but, then, it should be written exactly like that!

Re: Application of If clasuse

Clive — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:49:33 GMT

Hi,

If a negative settlement range exist, *to* convince the seller to reduce her resistance point to create a positive settlement range or *to* change his own resistance point to creare an overlap

I would like to know is the *to* here necessary?

I reckon it is not. Please consider the following sentence: 'If you see it, eliminate it'. There is no need for the *to*. Correct. 'Eliminate' here is an imperative, and 'to' shold not be used.

For example, you could just remove the 'if' clause and say 'Eliminate it' as a very simple and unconditional order.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: requisite for a subjunctive structure

CalifJim — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:10:15 GMT

I do see your point, though. You have a situation with two features that are problematic: a negative condition and a mixed conditional. That is, the if clause has a not and is in past time, and the main clause is in present time. These didn't for hadn't substitutes are more likely to occur in these patterns. I think. (I'll have to think about it some more.)

CJ

Re: ---why B is wrong. Please tell me the reason

Yankee — Tue, 22 May 2007 17:44:52 GMT

It would be more typical to use 'anybody' in interrogative and negative sentences (also in conditional sentences).

Your sentence is grammatically affirmative, and it is not conditional, so 'everybody' is the best choice.