make + not + infinitive

[Verona_82]

Hello,

I was asked today if structures with "make + not + infinitive" are common, for example

Our boss makes us not be late

My immediate reaction was to change the verb "Our boss doesn't let us be late". Should I have kept 'make'?

Thank you.

[bhaisahab]

Hello,

I was asked today if structures with "make + not + infinitive" are common, for example

Our boss makes us not be late

My immediate reaction was to change the verb "Our boss doesn't let us be late". Should I have kept 'make'?

Thank you.

No, "Our boss makes us not be late" is unnatural.

[billmcd]

Hello,

I was asked today if structures with "make + not + infinitive" (not a normal collocation) are common, for example

Our boss makes us not be late. I don't understand how someone would/could "make" someone not be late.

My immediate reaction was to change the verb "Our boss doesn't let us be late". Should I have kept 'make'? No. And "let" doesn't work either. How can he/she prevent lateness? Punish/penalize OK, as in "Our boss penalizes us for being late".

Thank you.

b.

[Verona_82]

Thank you! But are there any contexts where they would sound fine? For example,

During the shooting process the director made her not smile

No, it sounds wrong

[5jj]

Thank you! But are there any contexts where they would sound fine? For example,

During the shooting process the director made her not smile

No, it sounds wrong

Yes, it sounds wrong.

[Chicken Sandwich]

But are there any contexts where they would sound fine?

NOT A TEACHER

Yes. I'll give it a go:

The book did not make me laugh as much as it made me think.

[billmcd]

NOT A TEACHER

Yes. I'll give it a go:

The book did not make me laugh as much as it made me think.

Infinitive?

[Chicken Sandwich]

Infinitive?

Oops, sorry .

[Verona_82]

I've just reread billmcd's reply - why doesn't 'our boss doesn't let us be late" work? How do I express lack of permission then? I can imagine people saying to each other:

- My boss is great. I arrived about forty minutes later - got stick in a traffic jam - and he didn't even say a word!
- I envy you. My boss doesn't let us be late for work. (or doesn't allow us to be late for work)

[Tdol]

They work IMO.