Poll: "I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't rain."
"I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't rain." |
|
Votes: 451
Comments: 9
Added: February 2004
Comments:
| PLP - 8th February 2004 03:07 |
| It depends on the intonation. |
| Red5 - 8th June 2004 18:20 |
| I think it means that I believe it will rain. ;-) |
| its3742 - 29th May 2005 19:39 |
| but it did rain, lol |
| John - 16th June 2008 12:59 |
| What it means is, "I don't expect it to rain". However, it's intended meaning in common usage is, "I do expect it to rain". |
| jl - 6th February 2009 15:33 |
| don't two negations equal a positive, therefore I expect it to rain. It would be great to be able to consult the correct answers. Is there any way of doing this? |
| ghiro - 17th February 2009 21:13 |
| The word analysis means 'I expect it not to'; usage normally intends the opposite. Possibly influenced by romance (and other) languages' common usage of double negatives for emphasis... |
| altdel - 24th February 2009 21:41 |
| The double negative applies to the word "surprise". Thus, it means I'd be surprised if it rains. Or, I don't expect it to rain. |
| anna - 18th August 2010 20:05 |
| http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll /?p=1171 |
| Alex Guiomar Nunes - 6th January 2011 10:16 |
| Why did 60% of people answer "I donīt expect it to rain"? |
You must vote before you can post a comment.
SUBSCRIBE
