Raksmey
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« on: July 30, 2007, 05:58:40 PM » |
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Hi all of u there, I have another question to share. These two sentences below are the same, right? 1- Won't you join us tommorrow? 2- Will you not join us tommorrow? If they are the same, what about these two sentence: 1- Can't you talk? 2- Can you not talk? I have a feeling that these two senteces have different meanings. And what about all of you there? hope to hear from u soon   |
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Kimlong
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« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2007, 07:34:04 PM » |
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Nice to see you!! Yes the first two sentences suggest the same meaning. Yet the last two, uh.....  , never or rarely have I found such a sentence, can you not talk?, in writing, but in speaking. To talk frankly, I think the last two infer the same meaning, too.  |
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I regret not knowing earlier what I know now!!!
Regret for yesterday and fear for tomorrow are the tragedies of life!!
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Tdol
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« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2007, 11:15:53 PM » |
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The second could have a very different meaning: Can you not talk? This could mean 'can you stop talking'.  |
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Raksmey
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« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2007, 11:44:48 PM » |
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Ok ok, so which of you should i believe? |
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denith
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« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2007, 03:18:43 AM » |
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Raksmey, very nice question... believe is what your heart can tell you, not your brain.
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In this new age, DAMN! There are hotties on the street, why the heck am I sitting in front of my PC looking at concrete pictures, WHY NOT GET REAL GIRLS?
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Kimlong
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« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2007, 07:49:36 PM » |
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Ok suppose I believe you, Tdol, Yet what is the reason?
Why the first modal, will, can be used that style but the modal, can, can not?
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I regret not knowing earlier what I know now!!!
Regret for yesterday and fear for tomorrow are the tragedies of life!!
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Tdol
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« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2007, 01:59:44 AM » |
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I said that it could have a different meaning; it can also be used without the change in meaning though this is not very common; the meaning change would be conveyed by tone of voice or, in writing, possibly the use of italics/bold with the negative. Modals have so many uses that they don't all function identically; after all, we don't say can have done, but can say will/would/may/might/must have done. Must doesn't have a past form. Do any other modals have a negative form like cannot? Because they are so common and have so many different uses, it doesn't always apply that one form applies across the board. Also, 'Can you not' with the plain negative meaning was more common in the past and in some dialects. |
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« Last Edit: August 01, 2007, 02:01:19 AM by Tdol »
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vutha_cupid
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« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2007, 04:59:11 PM » |
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Anyway, what is the exact answer?
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Greeny
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« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2007, 06:09:57 PM » |
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According to Tdol, if I'm not mistaken, the right answer is:
The first two sentences are the same in meaning.
Whereas, "Can't you talk?" means "I ask you to talk."; "Can you not talk?" means "I ask you not to talk."
I also agree with this.
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Winner never quits!
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rachada
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« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2007, 12:40:38 AM » |
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hmmm good that's really clear |
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Kimlong
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« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2007, 08:41:26 PM » |
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I'm not clear yet. Can you mention a bit clear Tdol? I do know that modal can be used different ways!
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I regret not knowing earlier what I know now!!!
Regret for yesterday and fear for tomorrow are the tragedies of life!!
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vutha_cupid
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Be the Best of the Best and Be Leader
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« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2007, 06:15:09 PM » |
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I've got a headache about it now.
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Sokheang Thea
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« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2007, 08:20:13 PM » |
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well, when you use: Won't you...? it is informal. Will you not..? more formal. maybe there's some difference in speaker's expectation, too.
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vutha_cupid
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« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2007, 10:40:53 PM » |
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well, no clear answer, right?
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vignean
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« Reply #14 on: August 13, 2007, 05:40:30 PM » |
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No! It is just simple item u can use either the first or the second!
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