She doesn’t want a real investigation, does she?

Status
Not open for further replies.

diamondcutter

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
1. A: She doesn’t want a real investigation, does she?
B: I think not. / I think so.

I think not. = I don’t think so. = I don’t think she wants a real investigation. = I think she doesn’t want a real investigation.
I think so. = I think she wants a real investigation.

2. A: She wants a real investigation, doesn’t she?
B: I think not. / I think so.

I think not. = I don’t think so. = I don’t think she wants a real investigation. = I think she doesn’t want a real investigation.
I think so. = I think she wants a real investigation.

Are there any mistakes above?
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
They are all OK.
 

Roman55

Key Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Italy
Current Location
France
I am not a teacher.

Yes, they're OK grammatically but I find 'I think so' an unnatural and ambiguous answer in case 1.

I wouldn't be sure when reading 'I think so' whether the person thinks that she does or doesn't want a real investigation. I would be equally confused if the answer were 'Yes'.

In the spoken language, voice inflection might dispel the ambiguity, but it would be clearer to say 'I think she does'.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top