tara
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Japanese
- Home Country
- Japan
- Current Location
- Japan
Hello,
I have a question.
I learnt that double negative can be paraphrased as positive sentence
at school.
When I came across a sentence "Not exactly an offer I couldn't refuse",
I thought it can be translated as "It's exactly an offer I could refuse".
A native speaker of English who is American, however, explained me
"Not exactly an offer I couldn't refuse" is the same meaning of "Not exactly
an offer I could refuse", and it's a way of emphasizing.
They seem completely opposite for me, and I'm still not convinced how
they can be the same meaning.
Could you please help me understand it?
Thank you,
Tara
I have a question.
I learnt that double negative can be paraphrased as positive sentence
at school.
When I came across a sentence "Not exactly an offer I couldn't refuse",
I thought it can be translated as "It's exactly an offer I could refuse".
A native speaker of English who is American, however, explained me
"Not exactly an offer I couldn't refuse" is the same meaning of "Not exactly
an offer I could refuse", and it's a way of emphasizing.
They seem completely opposite for me, and I'm still not convinced how
they can be the same meaning.
Could you please help me understand it?
Thank you,
Tara