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hiromichi · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 1380

Are the two sentences below the same in meaning?

1. I wonder if there is not another sense to the term.

2. I wonder if there is another sense to the term.
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Hiromichi

EnglishRaven · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:50 am Post subject:

What do you think, Hiromichi?

Can you provide a context for one or both of these examples? Of course they could mean exactly the same, but it really depends on the overall context one or both of the terms was used in.

- Jason
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hiromichi · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 1380

EnglishRaven:

As an addition to my question:

From: Dennis Butler (jbutler uabmc.edu)
Subject: Mare's nest

I wonder if there is not another sense to the term. I work in sleep disorders
and a nightmare has nothing to do with horses. If I recall correctly, that
use of the term "mare" derives from older German and connotes a devil so
nightmares are really night devils. A devil's nest makes a good interpretation
as well.
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Hiromichi

EnglishRaven · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:44 am Post subject:

In this context, yes - the two examples you gave have exactly the same meaning. And here, 'sense' is referring to 'meaning' or 'interpretation' - not the other possible meaning of 'sense': good judgement or sounding right or logical.

A good question for you here now, Hiromichi, is:

Why do you think the writer used a negative construction to express this rather than a positive one?

That's something to get you thinking!

Best,

- Jason
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hiromichi · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 1380

EnglishRaven, Thank you.
My answer to your questionis: Tha writer wants to use the' expression ' devil's nest.
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Hiromichi

EnglishRaven · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:49 am Post subject:

Yes, okay - but what I was asking was, why do you think the writer said "I wonder if there is not another sense to the term" instead of saying "I wonder if there is another sense to the term"?

What effect do you think using the negative "not" has?

It's a tricky question, but I'm interested to hear what you think. It might help you the next time you see the negative used in this way...

Best,

- Jason
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hiromichi · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 1380

Because the writer guesses there is not another sense rather than there is.

Hiro
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Hiromichi