this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2024
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English usage and grammar

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Can "n't " and " + [pronoun]" be used with any verb? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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When I first learnt English, I thought this type of formulation only worked with a few verbs like "do", "have","should" (ex: "Should I do this? No, I shouldn't.")

More recently I also encountered "Need I?" and "needn't", tho they're more rarely used. But this got me wondering, is it still an exceptional construction, with "need" being one of the exceptions, or can it be done with every verbs? For example, are the following sentences correct:

  • Read you mangas? No, I readn't them.
  • Grow they potatoes? No, they grown't these.
  • Sounds it like a good idea? No, it soundsn't.

I know talking like this would raise a few eyebrows, but does it break any established rule?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Just try it with "not". If it does not (doesn't) work, then you probably should not (shouldn't) do it. There isn't a hard and fast rule on the use linguistically speaking beyond that.

I read not manga. I grow not potatoes. That sounds not like a good idea.

None of these really work, despite getting the idea across.

Speaking a language is more about the idea you're expressing and there is a lot of space in there to be a bit weird. That doesn't mean to just throw away currently established rules and expectations unless you're just trying to be silly and misunderstood. It's just not a very effective or efficient way to speak.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

That soundsn't like a good idea.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Thanks, that seems to work, but then again, whether or not it works with "not" isn't always obvious, I noticed for example "I know not [...]" can be used, tho it isn't common (I think I saw it in The Lord of the Rings or something), but that's something I haven't always known existed. And I've never encountered "known't"...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I know this exact example would pop up :)

It's kind of an archaic way of speaking to be sure. I don't think anyone in normal conversation has every day "I know not..." Without trying to be a bit silly.

By all means use it where ever you want and be silly. I know I do. I love destroying language!