The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

13.9. Denial and affirmation 2
Unit thirteen. Information, reality and belief

Section 263; 586-587

• Occasionally a negative word only applies its meaning to a phrase or part of a phrase elsewhere in the sentence.

• Non-finite clauses are made negative by placing not before the verb phrase.

• With main clause verbs like believe, suppose and think the element not can be transferred from the subclause to the main clause.

Task one ***

Replace the underlined phrases with alternative expressions requiring the use of no or not, keeping the meaning (more or less) intact.

Example: Donald is only moderately gifted.

→ Donald is not particularly / not especially gifted.

1. Lack of news is good news.

2. Hubert gave me a rather unconvincing reply.

3. Only some of the students disliked their history teacher.

4. It is quite usual for tribespeople to behave in this extraordinary way.

5. A rather important detail was overlooked by all those present.

6. Beatrice did sell her caravan, but with some regret.

7. Most observers agreed that the workers’ demands were quite reasonable.

8. The absence of electricity means that people have to live in primitive circumstances.

9. In spite of everything, some of these deprived children are happy.

10. The President will visit South Korea in the relatively near future.

11. Dyslexia in children quite frequently goes unrecognized for years.

12. We can put off the scheme for some time, but there is a limit.

Task two **

Replace the underlined part with an infinitive OR an -ing clause, keeping the meaning intact.

1. I tiptoed through the room so that I wouldn’t wake up the sleeping toddler.

2. As I couldn’t tell the difference between the twins, I asked them both to wear name tags.

3. The ideal solution would be if drivers didn’t think of their vehicles as race cars.

4. The fact that you aren’t rich doesn’t necessarily mean that you are unhappy.

5. Mr Templar was the only person who didn’t drink a single drop of alcohol.

6. Laura was livid with rage as she hadn’t been invited to the wedding party.

7. The instructor began by telling us how we should not respond in an emergency situation.

8. One student objected to the fact that he didn’t have access to the Internet.

9. Most observers expect there won’t be too many problems.

10. As I didn’t know where to go, I simply decided to stay at home.

Task three **

Transfer the negative element to the main clause in the sentences making up the following dialogue.

Amy: Boris, I think I won’t be coming to your party after all.

Boris: No problem. I suppose nobody will miss you.

A What a rude thing to say! I believe you don’t realize how badly some of your guests behaved ^y last month.

Boris: Well, I expect that bunch of lager louts won’t show up this time. They haven’t been invited.

Oh, good. You see, I thought I would have no chance at all of enjoying myself with them ^y around.

Boris: Look, I’m sorry about what I said. I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to change your mind?

Amy: Hmm. I feel I shouldn’t give in too easily. I can be very stubborn, you know.

Boris: Yes, I do know that. Still, I would expect you not to be too stubborn, just for my sake.

A Turning on the old charm again? OK, you win. I think I shouldn’t make you feel miserable for y the rest of your life.

Boris: Great! I believed I could never win you over. Thanks for proving me wrong.