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Expector's Tips on English Usage (3): 'I don't think...'

Posted by Expector Smith on September 30, 2016

Yes, you say "I don't think it is the case.", rather than "I think it is not the case.", if you think something is not the case.

That is, if 'think', 'suppose', 'believe' or 'imagine' is used to introduce a negative idea, you say 'I don't think...', 'I don't suppose...', etc. The usage is called 'transferred negation'.

You also say 'I don't think so.', 'I don't suppose so.', etc - in a negative 'short answer' structure.

The word 'hope', on the other hand, is an exception, for example, you say 'I hope they won't come.', not 'I don't hope they will come.'

So, you can try to make some sentences by using this structure - you can say "I don't think Expector knows all the grammar rules.", but not "I think Expector doesn't know all the grammar rules."

Hope it helps!

grammar, negation, not, think, transferred

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Comments

Expector Smith October 16, 2016 9:24

Thanks, Komala!
Komala October 16, 2016 1:37

Very Helpful.. thanks for highlighting this for us, especially me.. to be honest, i have actually been using this ( I think she's not part of the team) wrongly.
Expector Smith October 15, 2016 11:57

You're welcome, Daniel!
Daniel October 14, 2016 19:04

Thanks for such a wonderful information about English usage Expector.
Expector Smith October 7, 2016 1:09

Hi Afro,

In fact, yesterday I was so upset when China's national football team lost again - words fail me!

By the way, you should have used 'present perfect tense' in the second sentence - 'what has happened' rather than 'what had happened'.

Thanks!
bet October 6, 2016 9:07

I don't know whether she came home yesterday. But, I hope she will not be upset to find out what had happened during her absence!
Expector Smith October 1, 2016 14:49

@Rajib

Thanks for making the sentences. All the sentences are grammatically correct except for #2 "I don't suppose to be looser."

I assume you mean "I don't suppose him/her to be a looser." or "I'm not supposed to be a looser."

@Adaline

Great! You used the structure corretly.

@Serene

You, too, used the structure correctly - it seems there are some typos in some of the sentences: 'be afraid to do something', 'if we set our goal...'

Keep it up!
Someone October 1, 2016 12:51

Dear Smith! Thanks for the advice.

I don't think I will fit for the job.

I hope failure will not come to my door, again to make me weaken.

I don't think I will afraid to make sentences using/applying the tips.

I don't think life is much difficult if set our goal perfectly.

I hope her sorrow never let me touch.
Adaline Bala October 1, 2016 9:57

Dear Expector, Thank you for this week's grammar.

My sentences are,

I don't think she is ready for this job

I don't suppose you know where this bus goes

I hope she doesn't wake up in the middle

I don't think she knows what she wants
Rajib October 1, 2016 8:25

Expector Smith

It is very effective. I have made some sentences what is given bellow:

1. I don't think that I will be loosing continuously.

2. I don't suppose to be looser.

3. I hope the storm will not come again.

Thanks a lot

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