Do they mean the same? (English native speakers, please help!)
I feel like these two sentences mean the same:
You can eat anything but chocolates.
You can eat anything but not chocolates.
Do they really mean the same? Please help me with this question. Thanks!
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 7
3
Hi, yes they mean exactly the same thing.
2
Yes they mean the same.
But not = is just emphasising "not" no chocolate
1
the second one sounds like a double negative to me
"but" as already been used as a exception from the "anything".
I can see both working but might be a personal preference not to include the word "not"
1
You could say they mean the same, but the second one is awkward. It can also be said as “You can eat anything except (for) chocolates.”
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