Azz Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Just anybody
I hear Josh did not recognize someone.
a. It wasn't just anyone he did not recognize. It was me!!
b. He did not recognize just anyone. He did not recognize me.
Can one use (b) instead of (a)?
If the answer is 'yes', can (b) be used in writing English?
Many Thanks.
a. It wasn't just anyone he did not recognize. It was me!!
b. He did not recognize just anyone. He did not recognize me.
Can one use (b) instead of (a)?
If the answer is 'yes', can (b) be used in writing English?
Many Thanks.
Top answer
No, b. doesn't express the same thought; you need a double negative and it has just a single negative. It's also a bit lengthy.
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No, b. doesn't express the same thought; you need a double negative and it has just a single negative. It's also a bit lengthy. I know sometimes people don't like to use conjunctions because they may seem lazy or incorrect, but the truth is that they can make a sentence flow much better. Often things are clearer when you use less words, and using too many unnecessary words can encumber a sentence
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