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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!
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!
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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Expector Smith October 1, 2016 0:58

@usra

Thanks for being the first to add a comment here. Let's work on this sentence:"I supposed him a good person, but he was opposite of it.". Tips: you can say 'suppose someone to be something', not 'suppose someone something'. So, the sentence can be corrected this way: "I supposed him to be a good person, but he was the opposite of it."

@Shoba

Great! You used the structure correctly!

@LUCI

Wow, I really enjoyed reading your sentences, even though I don't sleepwalk or talk in my sleep:)

@setareh

You used the structure correctly, too. Keep it up!
Luci September 30, 2016 18:51

I think Expector is right now sleeping :D I hope he won't wake up because of some nightmares!!! Anyway, I don't believe he would enjoy moonwalking or talking from dreams, screaming: Luciiii, post some blogssss! :D
Shoba September 30, 2016 15:18

I hope Sir Expector will teach us all the grammar rules that he knows.

I hope she doesn't get angry when she hears this.

I don't think I will pass my exams if I sit in front of my laptop all day long.

Thank you for this lesson, Sir Expector. I don't think I have heard about transferred negation before. :)