Re: > Sorry, David, but your first example (I can not post this if I so choose) > sounds absolutely wrong to me. I would never use "can not" in that way. I > would say, "I don't have to post this if I so choose." Anyone else care to > chime in on that? > > All the best, > Rivka > Hi, Rivka and other readers, Three quick points concerning your reply. But first, I apologize in advance for capitalized words. They're supposed to be italicized words, not shouting. This forum seems to eliminate most formatting, leaving few other options for italics. (Suggestions, anyone?) (1) What Rivka is saying is that one CAN avoid the use of "can" altogether by rephrasing the sentence. Granted. However, it is another matter altogether whether one MUST rephrase it. If not, then we revert to the original question concerning the cases when one DOES use "can" and a negative. (2) It might help to give a broader context to the situation. Something like: "Harry, what are you doing with that paper?" "Well, I can post it if I want. However, there's another choice. I can NOT post it. It's my choice." (with a slight emphasis on "not".) (Parallelism would suggest using "can not" rather than "don't have to.") (3) Yes, I can imagine that a person may have his/her personal style, and would not use "can not" in this way. However, I have heard literate native English speakers use it in this way. It is thus a matter more of personal style than of grammar. David Reid ----------------------------------------------- ** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org ** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx ** ** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** -----------------------------------------------