Infinitive of purpose

[Waawe]

Hi folks,

this thread concerns the negative infinitive of purpose. Can you explain which of the following are grammatical, and if more of them are, what the difference is? Thanks a million..

#1 I carried the knife carefully not to cut myself.
#2 I carried the knife carefully so as not to cut myself.
#3 I carried the knife carefully in order not to cut myself.
#4 I carried the knife carefully so that I wouldn't cut myself.

Or are there any more practical ways to express the meaning?

What would you say in the situation? Personally, I'd use #1 but I suspect something's wrong with that.

Thanks for you patience.

Waawe

[Naamplao]

Hi folks,

this thread concerns the negative infinitive of purpose. Can you explain which of the following are grammatical, and if more of them are, what the difference is? Thanks a million..

#1 I carried the knife carefully not to cut myself.
#2 I carried the knife carefully so as not to cut myself.
#3 I carried the knife carefully in order not to cut myself.
#4 I carried the knife carefully so that I wouldn't cut myself.

Or are there any more practical ways to express the meaning?

What would you say in the situation? Personally, I'd use #1 but I suspect something's wrong with that.

Thanks for you patience.

Waawe

#2 and #4 are more commonly said. #3 is not wrong but not as good as #2 and #3.

There is no difference in meaning between the correct sentences.