Which one is incorrect, and why?
He usedn't to do it.
He usen't to do it.
He usedn't to do it.
He usen't to do it.
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Which one?
Which one is incorrect, and why?
He usedn't to do it. He usen't to do it.
They both don't make any sense. I would say: He used to not do that.
We never contract with "used to."
<We never contract with "used to." >
According to Chambers, we do: used to There is often uncertainty about the correct negative form of used to. The following are all acceptable (note that when an auxiliary verb is used, it is did, not had): • He used not to do it. • He usedn't to do it. • He didn't use to do it. The following are usually considered incorrect: • He usen't to do it. • He didn't used to do it. http://www.chambersharrap.co.uk/chambers/index.shtml
In American English (NE US), "He usedn't to do it" sounds strange, and is seldom if ever heard.
I'd say "he didn't use to do it". "He used not to do it" isn't as common, and also sounds a little bit unusual to me. Maybe things are different in the UK.
"Both" would mean they're both incorrect, not that they're both correct. I would consider "usedn't" awkward at best, and "usen't" incorrect because it isn't in the past tense, and "used to" must always be in the past tense unless it's used with another verb like "did".
- Kef
<In American English (NE US), "He usedn't to do it" sounds strange, and is seldom if ever heard. >
Yes, we know, but the question is about the choice between the above forms.
<I would consider "usedn't" awkward at best, and "usen't" incorrect because it isn't in the past tense, and "used to" must always be in the past tense unless it's used with another verb like "did". >
So you would consider, both forms above incorrect, would you?
Another example where "not" cannot become "n't": "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Starting the sentence with "Askn't" sounds very strange.
<I would, yes. >
Why would Chambers list "usedn't to" as correct if it weren't correct?
<Another example where "not" cannot become "n't": "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Starting the sentence with "Askn't" sounds very strange. >
That's just a subjective viewpoint, right? There's nothing objective, i.e. linguistics based, about it, right?
The idea of "correctness" and "incorrectness" in a language is inherently subjective to at least some degree.
<The idea of "correctness" and "incorrectness" in a language is inherently subjective to at least some degree. >
Well, you finally got rid of your nemesis. How did you do it? Did you complain directly to Josh? |