not anyone can

[navi tasan]

1-Not anyone can do that.

Does this mean:
a-Nobody can do that.
or:
b-Not just anyone can do that.
------------------------------------
Can one use:

2-Just anyone cannot do that.
3-Anyone cannot do that.

instead of:

b-Not just anyone can do that.

I find '3' a bit strange.



Gratefully,
Navi.

 

[Barb_D]

Think of it as "Only some people can do that" or "Only someone special can do that."

 

[MikeNewYork]

The first would be correct as "Not everyone can do that". That would mean that only some people can do that.
.

 

[navi tasan]

Thank you very much Barb_D and Mike,

So are 2 and 3 incorrect?


Gratefully,
Navi.

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

 

[Barb_D]

That is, they are not correct in most contexts.

As a response to someone who suggests that "anyone" can do that, it works, but there are implied quotes around "anyone."

Him: Oh, so you wrote a novel in a month? So what. Anyone can do that.
You: "Anyone" cannot do that! It takes someone with dedication and talent and passion. You don't know what you're talking about.

 

[SoothingDave]

Not anyone can do that.

This is a completely unnatural sentence. It literally means that no one can do it.