Page 162 - Basic English Usage

216 164

We do not use the auxiliary do with these other words.
Compare:
He doesn’t work.
He never works.
(NOT He-dees-neverwork-)
He seldom/rarely/hardly ever works.

some and any, etc
We do not usually use some, somebody, someone, something or
somewhere in questions and negative sentences. Instead, we use any,
anybody etc. (See 314.)
Compare:
I've found some mushrooms.
| haven’t found any mushrooms.

think, believe, suppose, imagine and hope
When we introduce negative ideas with think, believe, suppose and
imagine, we usually make the first verb (think etc) negative, not the
second.
| don’t think you've met my wife.
(NOT Hhink-yethaver-tmetmy wife-)
| don’t believe she's at home.
Hope is an exception (see 162).
| hope it doesn’t rain.
(NOT +eent hope trains: )
Short answers are possible with not after the verb.
‘Will it rain?’ Tt hope not.’
With believe, imagine and think, we prefer the structure with not ... so
(see 311).
‘Will it rain?’ ‘I don’t think so.’

For negative questions, see 214.

216 neither (of): determiner

We use neither before a singular noun to mean ‘not one and not the
other’.
neither + singular noun
‘Can you come on Monday or Tuesday?’ ‘I’m afraid neither day is
possible.’