Sentence structure: Can I not try that?
Does the sentence "Can I not try that?" mean:
- I want to try that but I'm not allowed to
- I don't want to try that
grammar
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 10 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
add a comment |
Does the sentence "Can I not try that?" mean:
- I want to try that but I'm not allowed to
- I don't want to try that
grammar
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 10 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
1
It's ambiguous. But neither of your interpretations are likely. I would say it more probably means one of two things: (1) Am I allowed to try that? (2) Am I capable of trying that? Or, in its negative phrasing, Are you saying I'm not (allowed / able) to try that?
– Jason Bassford
Jan 13 at 3:48
add a comment |
Does the sentence "Can I not try that?" mean:
- I want to try that but I'm not allowed to
- I don't want to try that
grammar
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
Does the sentence "Can I not try that?" mean:
- I want to try that but I'm not allowed to
- I don't want to try that
grammar
grammar
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
asked Jan 13 at 3:33
TeejTeej
1
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 10 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 10 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
1
It's ambiguous. But neither of your interpretations are likely. I would say it more probably means one of two things: (1) Am I allowed to try that? (2) Am I capable of trying that? Or, in its negative phrasing, Are you saying I'm not (allowed / able) to try that?
– Jason Bassford
Jan 13 at 3:48
add a comment |
1
It's ambiguous. But neither of your interpretations are likely. I would say it more probably means one of two things: (1) Am I allowed to try that? (2) Am I capable of trying that? Or, in its negative phrasing, Are you saying I'm not (allowed / able) to try that?
– Jason Bassford
Jan 13 at 3:48
1
1
It's ambiguous. But neither of your interpretations are likely. I would say it more probably means one of two things: (1) Am I allowed to try that? (2) Am I capable of trying that? Or, in its negative phrasing, Are you saying I'm not (allowed / able) to try that?
– Jason Bassford
Jan 13 at 3:48
It's ambiguous. But neither of your interpretations are likely. I would say it more probably means one of two things: (1) Am I allowed to try that? (2) Am I capable of trying that? Or, in its negative phrasing, Are you saying I'm not (allowed / able) to try that?
– Jason Bassford
Jan 13 at 3:48
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
"Can I try that?" would be a simple question. "Am I allowed to try to do something?" Modifying try with "not" implies a slight fear that permitting the action might violate a formal or informal rule, or that the requester might lack the ability to successfully perform the action.
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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"Can I try that?" would be a simple question. "Am I allowed to try to do something?" Modifying try with "not" implies a slight fear that permitting the action might violate a formal or informal rule, or that the requester might lack the ability to successfully perform the action.
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
add a comment |
"Can I try that?" would be a simple question. "Am I allowed to try to do something?" Modifying try with "not" implies a slight fear that permitting the action might violate a formal or informal rule, or that the requester might lack the ability to successfully perform the action.
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
add a comment |
"Can I try that?" would be a simple question. "Am I allowed to try to do something?" Modifying try with "not" implies a slight fear that permitting the action might violate a formal or informal rule, or that the requester might lack the ability to successfully perform the action.
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
"Can I try that?" would be a simple question. "Am I allowed to try to do something?" Modifying try with "not" implies a slight fear that permitting the action might violate a formal or informal rule, or that the requester might lack the ability to successfully perform the action.
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
answered Jan 13 at 4:49
Zan700Zan700
2,359519
2,359519
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
It's ambiguous. But neither of your interpretations are likely. I would say it more probably means one of two things: (1) Am I allowed to try that? (2) Am I capable of trying that? Or, in its negative phrasing, Are you saying I'm not (allowed / able) to try that?
– Jason Bassford
Jan 13 at 3:48