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river1974
Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan
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 Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject: not |
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Dear teachers:
He loves me *he loves you not*.
Is it grammatical to say "he loves you not"?
Thanks. |
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know if it is considered to be grammatical in ordinary English. However, it is common to see that kind of construction in poetry, verse, and even in expressions. I doubt I've ever seen it in ordinary speech.
A common expression is, "I kid you not!" It means that I am very serious about what I just told you. It may seem preposturous, but I'm not just trying to make you laugh. |
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river1974
Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks bud. I heard it from an American popular song (I now forget its name). Maybe the writer uses it just for rhyme.  |
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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It's also a chidren's rhyme. You pick a daisy and then pull off one petal at a time. As each one comes off, you alternate saying "She/he loves me" and "She/he loves me not." When the last petal comes off, you learn whether or not she loves me.
It does sound much more poetic than saying, "She doesn't love me."
Nice topic, River!  |
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