a question about the position of "not“
1.Only in this way did he not have to go home.
2.Only in this way didn't he have to go home.
Could you definitely tell me which one is right, or both of them are right. And more information is appreciated.
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Answers · 9
1
The second one is incorrect. "Did not he" doesn't work. Probably because "not" is modifying the verb "have," so "not" needs to stay next to "have." You can't split them up.
1
Hello Tony,
I would agree that the first one sounds most natural.
Contractions can sound a little 'off' when coming after certain phrases. I am not sure if there is a rule for it, however.
1
The first one is better. The second one sounds weird.
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