not to or to not

[Over the top]

Which one is correct?

How not to be ... (adjective)
How to not be ... (adjective)

How not to ....( verb)
How to not ....(verb)

Thank you :-D

 

[abaka]

Not to, always. Remember:

To be or not to be, that is the question. -- Shakespeare.

 

[birdeen's call]

Over the top, try searching for "split infinitive".

 

[abaka]

I'm not entirely against split infinitives. The question, however, is not about them in general, but about the word "not" with an infinitive. I don't think "to not" is at all necessary. Not to be, not "to not be". How not to, not "how to not".

 

[birdeen's call]

I'm not entirely against split infinitives. The question, however, is not about them in general, but about the word "not" with an infinitive. I don't think "to not" is at all necessary. Not to be, not "to not be". How not to, not "how to not".

As far as I know, split infinitives with "not" are less common than other kinds and many more people object to them, but some use them. (I don't.) I just wanted to give Over the top more search options.

 

[Over the top]

My friend, who is native English speaker from London, always use 'to not'. What does this mean? Is he wrong?

 

[5jj]

My friend, who is a native English speaker from London, always uses 'to not'. What does this mean? Is he wrong?

I would not say it's wrong, but it's not common. COCA has over 36,000 citations for 'not to verb' and only 24 for 'to not verb'.

 

[Mohammadhelmi]

always not to + infinitive
It is unacceptable to say to not + infinitive, but instead, you should say not to + infinitive

 

[5jj]

It is not unacceptable, merely uncommon.