Which is correct; “Be not late for school”, or “Don't be late for school”
We are taught when you negate a verb, you use "do not", "does not" or "did not" for general verbs, but you only have to add "not" after the verb in the case of Be-verb. If this rule should be applied in all cases, I think "Be not.." is the only correct writing. Please advise me.
grammar
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We are taught when you negate a verb, you use "do not", "does not" or "did not" for general verbs, but you only have to add "not" after the verb in the case of Be-verb. If this rule should be applied in all cases, I think "Be not.." is the only correct writing. Please advise me.
grammar
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 1 hour ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
1
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, this happens in negative imperatives: Don't be silly!
– Mv Log
1 hour ago
add a comment |
We are taught when you negate a verb, you use "do not", "does not" or "did not" for general verbs, but you only have to add "not" after the verb in the case of Be-verb. If this rule should be applied in all cases, I think "Be not.." is the only correct writing. Please advise me.
grammar
We are taught when you negate a verb, you use "do not", "does not" or "did not" for general verbs, but you only have to add "not" after the verb in the case of Be-verb. If this rule should be applied in all cases, I think "Be not.." is the only correct writing. Please advise me.
grammar
grammar
asked 1 hour ago
Shige
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 1 hour ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 1 hour ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
1
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, this happens in negative imperatives: Don't be silly!
– Mv Log
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, this happens in negative imperatives: Don't be silly!
– Mv Log
1 hour ago
1
1
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, this happens in negative imperatives: Don't be silly!
– Mv Log
1 hour ago
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, this happens in negative imperatives: Don't be silly!
– Mv Log
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
The correct modern expression is
Don't be late for school.
This is a standard negation of the imperative:
Put on your shoes ➡ Don't put on your shoes.
Run to catch the bus ➡ Don't run to catch the bus
It is the same for the "be" verb:
Be the best student ➡ Don't be the best student
However, that being said, archaic English does include your negation. It would not be correct to use it in ordinary conversation, but you might hear this kind of expression in period dramas, older manuscripts, and religious texts:
Be not so proud as to think yourself wholly without sin.
Trust not those who would wish you ill.
Naturally you can use this if you want to sound like someone speaking old-fashioned English, or making some kind of officious proclamation:
Be not late for school, lest ye be remanded to the Pit of Detention.
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
The correct modern expression is
Don't be late for school.
This is a standard negation of the imperative:
Put on your shoes ➡ Don't put on your shoes.
Run to catch the bus ➡ Don't run to catch the bus
It is the same for the "be" verb:
Be the best student ➡ Don't be the best student
However, that being said, archaic English does include your negation. It would not be correct to use it in ordinary conversation, but you might hear this kind of expression in period dramas, older manuscripts, and religious texts:
Be not so proud as to think yourself wholly without sin.
Trust not those who would wish you ill.
Naturally you can use this if you want to sound like someone speaking old-fashioned English, or making some kind of officious proclamation:
Be not late for school, lest ye be remanded to the Pit of Detention.
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
add a comment |
The correct modern expression is
Don't be late for school.
This is a standard negation of the imperative:
Put on your shoes ➡ Don't put on your shoes.
Run to catch the bus ➡ Don't run to catch the bus
It is the same for the "be" verb:
Be the best student ➡ Don't be the best student
However, that being said, archaic English does include your negation. It would not be correct to use it in ordinary conversation, but you might hear this kind of expression in period dramas, older manuscripts, and religious texts:
Be not so proud as to think yourself wholly without sin.
Trust not those who would wish you ill.
Naturally you can use this if you want to sound like someone speaking old-fashioned English, or making some kind of officious proclamation:
Be not late for school, lest ye be remanded to the Pit of Detention.
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
add a comment |
The correct modern expression is
Don't be late for school.
This is a standard negation of the imperative:
Put on your shoes ➡ Don't put on your shoes.
Run to catch the bus ➡ Don't run to catch the bus
It is the same for the "be" verb:
Be the best student ➡ Don't be the best student
However, that being said, archaic English does include your negation. It would not be correct to use it in ordinary conversation, but you might hear this kind of expression in period dramas, older manuscripts, and religious texts:
Be not so proud as to think yourself wholly without sin.
Trust not those who would wish you ill.
Naturally you can use this if you want to sound like someone speaking old-fashioned English, or making some kind of officious proclamation:
Be not late for school, lest ye be remanded to the Pit of Detention.
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
The correct modern expression is
Don't be late for school.
This is a standard negation of the imperative:
Put on your shoes ➡ Don't put on your shoes.
Run to catch the bus ➡ Don't run to catch the bus
It is the same for the "be" verb:
Be the best student ➡ Don't be the best student
However, that being said, archaic English does include your negation. It would not be correct to use it in ordinary conversation, but you might hear this kind of expression in period dramas, older manuscripts, and religious texts:
Be not so proud as to think yourself wholly without sin.
Trust not those who would wish you ill.
Naturally you can use this if you want to sound like someone speaking old-fashioned English, or making some kind of officious proclamation:
Be not late for school, lest ye be remanded to the Pit of Detention.
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
answered 41 mins ago
AndrewAndrew
66.4k675146
66.4k675146
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
Although do is not normally used as an auxiliary with be, this happens in negative imperatives: Don't be silly!
– Mv Log
1 hour ago