How could I hear not?

Metamorfose · Post by **Metamorfose** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:47 pm

Given:

(1) How could I hear not?
(2) How couldn't I hear?

Is (1) only old usage (as somebody in another forum I take part claims) or does it have a different meaning from (2) in current English? If it is proper modern English, how does it differ from (2)?

Thanks

José

zorro (3) · Post by **zorro (3)** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:53 pm

I don't recognise (1) as modern day usage.

Possibly, 'How could I not hear?'

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:49 am

Seconded. Definitely bard talk.