I beg you won't mention it?

[sondra]

Hello,

Could you tell me please why the auther uses ''won't'' here in this sentence? Is it typical for literature only?

'I beg you won't mention it, sir.'

Isn't it a mistake to say ; I beg you not to mention it or I beg you don't mention it or I beg you not mention it too?

 

[BobK]

Hello,

Could you tell me please why the authOr uses ''won't'' here in this sentence? Is it typical for literature only?

'I beg you won't mention it, sir.'

Isn't it a mistake to say ; I beg you not to mention it or I beg you don't mention it or I beg you not mention it too?

Why do you think this is wrong?

Returning to the case quoted, he's just thinking on his feet. He starts to say 'I hope you won't...', then changes his mind and uses a stronger verb without re-jigging the grammar.

b

 

[sondra]

I don't think that it is wrong I was wondering why it is used here and how it can be rephrased too.

 

[sondra]

I have nothing against Dickens' grammar .

 

[BobK]

I have nothing against Dickens' grammar .

Indeed not; it just reflects a way of talking that was current nearly 200 years ago. (What I said before doesn't apply; the grammar of 'I beg you' was different in the 19th cent.) ;-)

b