Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
warning; alarm; attitude of readiness
uncertainty
function
list
alert
Free TOEIC test: Free word games online: Nouns Verbs Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…?



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Subject-verb agreement | meanings of "in my way" and "in the way"
Listening exercises
Message
Author
Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…? #1 (permalink) Sat Aug 26, 2006 20:06 pm   Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…?
 

Hi

Am I not supposed to have Ads?
Am I supposed not to take part in the meeting?
...

If the meaning of the questions (emphasis, tone) changes if I move not before or after supposed,correspondingly?

Is it just my cranky idea that the first ("Am I not supposed...?") sounds a bit sarcastic, whereas the second is 'more neutral'?
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…? #2 (permalink) Sat Aug 26, 2006 20:27 pm   Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…?
 

Hi Tamara

I'd say you've got a pretty good grasp of the difference. Very Happy

"Am I not supposed to have Ads?"
This means you think you are supposed to have Ads (whatever that is), but apparently you unexpectedly don't have Ads and you are now questioning that fact. So, yes, this may well be a bit more "crankily asked" than the second sentence. Wink

"Am I supposed to not take part in the meeting?" (NOTE: My preference would be to put the word not after the word to.)
You are asking a more straightforward (neutral) question here.

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Here is all you want to know about English! Click to subscribe to free email English courseEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsIn this story you'll learn everything about the passive voice
Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…? #3 (permalink) Sat Aug 26, 2006 23:12 pm   Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…?
 

Thank you, Amy.

Especially for that:
Quote:
NOTE: My preference would be to put the word not after the word to.

Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Bonus question #4 (permalink) Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:23 am   Bonus question
 

Hi Tamara

By the way, I'd also say there would be a difference in "degree of crankiness" depending on whether the speaker starts off with a contraction or not. :shiock: For me, using the contraction makes it sound more neutral because it would be the more standard format in spoken English:

"Aren't I supposed to have Ads?"

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Bonus question #5 (permalink) Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:30 am   Bonus question
 

Yankee wrote:
...it would be the more standard format in spoken English:

"Aren't I supposed to have Ads?"

Hi Amy,

I know that amn't sounds awkward, but I can't still get used to saying (or writing) Aren't I....
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Bonus question #6 (permalink) Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:47 am   Bonus question
 

Tamara wrote:
Yankee wrote:
...it would be the more standard format in spoken English:

"Aren't I supposed to have Ads?"

Hi Amy,

I know that amn't sounds awkward, but I can't still get used to saying (or to writing) Aren't I....
Shocked

Amn't doesn't sound awkward, it only sounds wrong.
But I'm sure the awkwardness of trying to say something as unpronounceable as amn't is exactly the reason the use of aren't in such sentences began.

Saying "aren't I ?" is absolutely standard. 1000% correct for this negative question. Very Happy

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Bonus question #7 (permalink) Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:55 am   Bonus question
 

Yankee wrote:
...get used to saying (or to writing) Aren't I....

Thanks, Amy.
This time I was lucky enough to have corrected myself by myself in a right way. Before Smile Wink

Quote:
Saying "aren't I ?" is absolutely standard.

Yes.
This is just one thing from what I seem to be unable to learn in English.
Sometimes that happens, not rarely. Smile
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Display posts from previous:   
Subject-verb agreement | meanings of "in my way" and "in the way"
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Am I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…? All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
Couldn't : Didn't: Any difference?Usage of verb ADDA little divorsedMeaning of "autumnal gourds"Is a "consistent bias" still a bias?Look at versus Look upFragrance versus AromaHow do we have to use the modal verb 'ought to'?Do me a favour!"Too soon""Be going to do sth" and 'Be about to do sth'Fearful - timid and frightful :)"parent are" OR "parents is"'Comma' - 'A comma' - 'The comma''Dear Friends' versus 'Dear friends'Meaning of "crisper"'If' versus 'Iff'Painstakingly investigationAm I supposed not…? vs. Am I not supposed…?

Discover English-test.net
Yet Another Wonderful Newbie (or "yawn")Difference between insolvent and brokeDiffer in meaning: Suffocate, Strangle, Throttle, Smother, AsphyxiateIs it a complete sentence? "As you may know..."Good Pimsleur Package?TOEIC prep test: Word Vocabulary Games: Verb Noun Vocabulary ListTOEIC vocab test: Free word games: Online Verbs Nouns GameMeaning of revise, esteem, fund, intensify, taste, term, benchmarkLearning to speak Japanese: Pimsleur Japanese Quick and SimpleFilipino idioms: Word of MouthEll worksheets: Double Speak in Job TitlesLewis and Clark audio books, CDs, tapes, used cassettes, audio download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail