[29] 12. Put statements in positive form.
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language. Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion.
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He was not very often on time. |
He usually came late. |
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He did not think that studying Latin was much use. |
He thought the study of Latin useless. |
|
The Taming of the Shrew is rather weak in spots. Shakespeare does not portray Katharine as a very admirable character, nor does Bianca remain long in memory as an important character in Shakespeare's works. |
The women in The Taming of the Shrew are unattractive. Katharine is disagreeable, Bianca insignificant. |
The last example, before correction, is indefinite as well as negative. The corrected version, consequently, is simply a guess at the writer's intention.
All three examples show the weakness inherent in the word not. Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; he wishes to be told what is. Hence, as a rule, it is better to express a negative in positive form.
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not honest |
dishonest |
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not important |
trifling |
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did not remember |
forgot |
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did not pay any attention to |
ignored |
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did not have much confidence in |
distrusted |
[30] The antithesis of negative and positive is strong:
- Not charity, but simple justice.
- Not that I loved Caesar less, but Rome the more.
Negative words other than not are usually strong:
- The sun never sets upon the British flag.