Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
Why does not smth. work?
English answer:
Why does smth. not work?
Added to glossary by
Nik-On/Off
Aug 9, 2006 08:38
17 yrs ago
English term
Ukraine
careful, caring, and perfectionist
Native in: Russian 
, Ukrainian
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Ukrainian to English, and 1 more.
Why does not smth. work?
English
Science
Science (general)
scientific writing
Why does _not_ this mathematical model work at large values...?
Why does this mathematical model _not_ work at large values...?
My concern here is the position of "not." Could you explain which of the two is right and why? (Google backs up both versions.) Thanks in advance
Why does this mathematical model _not_ work at large values...?
My concern here is the position of "not." Could you explain which of the two is right and why? (Google backs up both versions.) Thanks in advance
Responses
| 4 +12 | the second |
CMJ_Trans (X)
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| 4 +3 | Why does this mathematical model _not_ work at large values...? |
Andrey Belousov (X)
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| 4 +3 | why does... not work at large values? |
Angela Dickson (X)
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| 3 +3 | Why does smth. not work? |
Jack Doughty
|
| 4 +2 | comment |
Rachel Fell
|
Responses
+12
6 mins
Selected
the second
The first sentence is incorrect English
The second is correct.
As to justification, English is my mother tongue and I can simply tell you that no self-respecting English person would even think of using the first solution. It would however work in "casual" speech in the form of "Why doesn't...." and there the abbreviated form of 'not' has to be stuck on the verb for obvious reasons. As the first sentence is written, it is however WRONG
HTH
The second is correct.
As to justification, English is my mother tongue and I can simply tell you that no self-respecting English person would even think of using the first solution. It would however work in "casual" speech in the form of "Why doesn't...." and there the abbreviated form of 'not' has to be stuck on the verb for obvious reasons. As the first sentence is written, it is however WRONG
HTH
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Angela Dickson (X)
: if Mike says he'd say both of them, I'm not inclined to disagree with him - but the first certainly seems wrong to me, with the work-around as you suggest.
3 mins
|
| agree |
Konstantin Kisin
: Absolutely.
11 mins
|
| agree |
Michael Powers (PhD)
: I stand corrected. CMJ does mention the use of the former as a contraction in her note. All three, CMJ, Angela and Jack reflect usage in this linguistic environment accurately. Mea culpa - Mike :)
12 mins
|
|
that's fair - CMJ = she FYI
|
|
| agree |
Alison Jenner
23 mins
|
| agree |
avsie (X)
28 mins
|
| agree |
Suzan Hamer
40 mins
|
| agree |
Rachel Nkere-Uwem (X)
1 hr
|
| agree |
Orla Ryan
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Tony M
: I think in modern usage, it just sounds more natural to keep the negative alongside the main part of the verb when it is used with an auxiliary (similar goes for has/will/could etc.) UNLESS they're too far apart, OR 4 emphasis
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Alexander Demyanov
4 hrs
|
| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
9 hrs
|
| agree |
NancyLynn
: but when the time comes to insert the correct answer into the glossary... you know what to do. ;-)
1 day 16 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks to all the answerers and agreers!"
+3
5 mins
Why does this mathematical model _not_ work at large values...?
Если объект между вспомогательным глаголом и частицей - именно так.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Suzan Hamer
40 mins
|
|
Thanks!
|
|
| agree |
Ana L Fazio-Kroll
6 hrs
|
|
Thanks!
|
|
| agree |
airmailrpl
: -
3 days 10 hrs
|
|
Thanks!
|
+3
6 mins
why does... not work at large values?
The first one doesn't work with the full words - you have to have the contraction 'why doesn't this model work...'. As to why... I'm not sure. I'll think about it and come back if I find anything.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michael Powers (PhD)
: I agree and I was wondering why also. - Mike :)
24 mins
|
| agree |
Suzan Hamer
: Ditto; I think it may be one of those questions which can only be answered "Because."
41 mins
|
| agree |
airmailrpl
: - because it sounds weird !!
3 days 10 hrs
|
+3
8 mins
Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
United Kingdom
Translator since 1953
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, German to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
52
Why does smth. not work?
In the full form, this sounds better to me.
However, if you abbreviate it:
Why doesn't smth. work?
it is OK.
However, if you abbreviate it:
Why doesn't smth. work?
it is OK.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michael Powers (PhD)
34 mins
|
|
Thank you.
|
|
| agree |
Suzan Hamer
40 mins
|
|
Thank you.
|
|
| agree |
airmailrpl
: -
3 days 10 hrs
|
+2
45 mins
Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
United Kingdom
Thorough, knowledgeable and resourceful
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, Italian to English, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
20
comment
The 1st one in full form is old fashioned Englsih or may be used in some formal sentences. I wouldn't say it's incorrect Englsih, just not current usage.
I think your examples from the web would be better phrased as, e.g., "Why does Adobe not work...", etc. Nowadays, as has been said, "Why doesn't something work...?" is used (but this is a less formal way of writing) or "Why does something not work...?"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2006-08-09 09:43:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Mr. Dickens : Does my hon. Friend agree that the change in the benefit system ... Why does not the hon. and learned Gentleman point out that unemployment in ...
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199394/cmhansrd/1994-03...
International companies must invest and develop in an ethical and reasonable way. Secondly, following the point raised by the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Bradford, we should educate the young. I suspect that many of those in that audience that night were young people. Why does not the DfID, through the Department for Education and Employment, bring this problem to our young people? I suspect that the response would be immense.
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld20000...
(from a 19th C novel)
"But, to be sure, what a town Cranford is for kindness! I don't suppose any one has a better dinner than usual cooked but the best part of all comes in a little covered basin for my sister. The poor people will leave their earliest vegetables at our door for her. They speak short and gruff, as if they were ashamed of it: but I am sure it often goes to my heart to see their thoughtfulness." The tears now came back and overflowed; but after a minute or two she began to scold herself, and ended by going away the same cheerful Miss Jessie as ever.
"But why does not this Lord Mauleverer do something for the man who saved his life?" said I.
"Why, you see, unless Captain Brown has some reason for it, he never speaks about being poor;
http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/trol/grol/gaskell/cran02.htm
I think your examples from the web would be better phrased as, e.g., "Why does Adobe not work...", etc. Nowadays, as has been said, "Why doesn't something work...?" is used (but this is a less formal way of writing) or "Why does something not work...?"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2006-08-09 09:43:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Mr. Dickens : Does my hon. Friend agree that the change in the benefit system ... Why does not the hon. and learned Gentleman point out that unemployment in ...
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199394/cmhansrd/1994-03...
International companies must invest and develop in an ethical and reasonable way. Secondly, following the point raised by the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Bradford, we should educate the young. I suspect that many of those in that audience that night were young people. Why does not the DfID, through the Department for Education and Employment, bring this problem to our young people? I suspect that the response would be immense.
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld20000...
(from a 19th C novel)
"But, to be sure, what a town Cranford is for kindness! I don't suppose any one has a better dinner than usual cooked but the best part of all comes in a little covered basin for my sister. The poor people will leave their earliest vegetables at our door for her. They speak short and gruff, as if they were ashamed of it: but I am sure it often goes to my heart to see their thoughtfulness." The tears now came back and overflowed; but after a minute or two she began to scold herself, and ended by going away the same cheerful Miss Jessie as ever.
"But why does not this Lord Mauleverer do something for the man who saved his life?" said I.
"Why, you see, unless Captain Brown has some reason for it, he never speaks about being poor;
http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/trol/grol/gaskell/cran02.htm
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Peter Shortall
: Yes, the 1st way of doing it is old-fashioned
4 hrs
|
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Thank you Peter! It seems to be used quite a lot in UK Parliament and probably in courts, too.
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|
| agree |
airmailrpl
: -
3 days 9 hrs
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Thank you airmailrpl!
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Discussion