, not~

[vcolts]

Ex:

One must be able to assess the situation first before coming with solutions, not the other way around.


Q: What kind of phrase is the red part?
What is the grammatical construction of it?

I think I remember that it's a relative clause reduced from "which is not the other way around." Is that correct?

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=vcolts;830370]


NOT A TEACHER


(1) Thanks for your question. That kind of construction (sentence) is one of my

favorites. So I really want to know what the teachers tell us.

(2) Here are some comments. They are not answers.

(a) I believe that you are referring to sentences such as "I like broccoli, not

mushrooms." Am I right?

(b) Well, IF I am, the grammar books seem to call that an example of contrasted

elements.

(c) Let's simplify your sentence for easier analysis:



One should assess the situation first before coming up with solutions,

not come up with solutions first before assessing the situation.

(d) Here's the BIG problem:

It seems that there are many theories about contrasted elements.

(i) You mentioned one: the reduced relative clause:

He bought a Ford, not a Buick. = He bought a Ford, which is not a Buick.

(ii) Some think it is a short way to write a compound sentence:

He bought a Ford, but he did not buy a Buick.

(iii) Some think it is a so-called negative appositive. Yes, appositives are

usually affirmative (He is an ophthalmologist, an eye doctor.) But some books

(such as Professor Quirk's) allow negative appositives:

He bought a Ford (not a Buick).

(e) Maybe the teachers will show us other ways to understand this interesting and

very popular construction:

Mother: Why did you break this vase?

Mona (daughter): Tom did it, not me. (Actually, in "perfect" English "not I." That is:

Tom, not I, did it.)