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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > want someone to do something
want someone to do something
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i_love_english
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want someone to do something
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Hello,
I �d like some help as I �ve got a huge doubt.
I would be tempted to say:
"Her father doesn �t want her to talk" when all the textbooks I �ve had a look at give "Her father wants her not to talk" as the right answer.
Do you think both can be used?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Stephanie |
26 Jan 2010
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lshorton99
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The second is more formal than the first but both are correct. The first one is certainly more natural sounding so your instincts are correct!
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26 Jan 2010
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anitarobi
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Agreed, the first one sounds more like his wish, and the other one is more like his order/request. Both are correct, with a slight difference in style. |
26 Jan 2010
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conqueror_mko
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what about this ?
"Her father doesn �t want her to talk" : her father wants her to shut up ( she should stop talking )
"Her father wants her not to talk" : her father wants her to keep silent ( she shouldn �t talk about the secret )
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26 Jan 2010
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priorita
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absolutely right. the point is not whether one of these is more or less formal, the difference is in father �s wish. |
26 Jan 2010
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