I'm confused on the usage of 'not until'
Consider:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Does this mean that her life was a blur, but then when he came, it wasn't any more? Or should not be eliminated so it will mean the way I said?
grammar
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
add a comment |
Consider:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Does this mean that her life was a blur, but then when he came, it wasn't any more? Or should not be eliminated so it will mean the way I said?
grammar
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
8
The not seems indeed very weird in that sentence. As it stands, it is a strange way of saying "My life was not a blur - then you came along and it became a blur".
– oerkelens
Dec 28 '17 at 12:20
6
your example is not idiomatic
– hkBst
Dec 28 '17 at 13:06
1
This seems like more of a learner's question; you might be interested in checking out English Language Learners.
– J.R.
Dec 28 '17 at 15:20
Although the comment by @oerkelens and the answer by Gary propose similar meanings, the sentence looks so ill-formed to me that I'm not convinced that it has any meaning at all.
– Andreas Blass
Dec 29 '17 at 3:58
add a comment |
Consider:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Does this mean that her life was a blur, but then when he came, it wasn't any more? Or should not be eliminated so it will mean the way I said?
grammar
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
Consider:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Does this mean that her life was a blur, but then when he came, it wasn't any more? Or should not be eliminated so it will mean the way I said?
grammar
grammar
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
edited Dec 28 '17 at 15:41
Peter Mortensen
2,45862536
2,45862536
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
asked Dec 28 '17 at 12:15
user273645user273645
192
192
8
The not seems indeed very weird in that sentence. As it stands, it is a strange way of saying "My life was not a blur - then you came along and it became a blur".
– oerkelens
Dec 28 '17 at 12:20
6
your example is not idiomatic
– hkBst
Dec 28 '17 at 13:06
1
This seems like more of a learner's question; you might be interested in checking out English Language Learners.
– J.R.
Dec 28 '17 at 15:20
Although the comment by @oerkelens and the answer by Gary propose similar meanings, the sentence looks so ill-formed to me that I'm not convinced that it has any meaning at all.
– Andreas Blass
Dec 29 '17 at 3:58
add a comment |
8
The not seems indeed very weird in that sentence. As it stands, it is a strange way of saying "My life was not a blur - then you came along and it became a blur".
– oerkelens
Dec 28 '17 at 12:20
6
your example is not idiomatic
– hkBst
Dec 28 '17 at 13:06
1
This seems like more of a learner's question; you might be interested in checking out English Language Learners.
– J.R.
Dec 28 '17 at 15:20
Although the comment by @oerkelens and the answer by Gary propose similar meanings, the sentence looks so ill-formed to me that I'm not convinced that it has any meaning at all.
– Andreas Blass
Dec 29 '17 at 3:58
8
8
The not seems indeed very weird in that sentence. As it stands, it is a strange way of saying "My life was not a blur - then you came along and it became a blur".
– oerkelens
Dec 28 '17 at 12:20
The not seems indeed very weird in that sentence. As it stands, it is a strange way of saying "My life was not a blur - then you came along and it became a blur".
– oerkelens
Dec 28 '17 at 12:20
6
6
your example is not idiomatic
– hkBst
Dec 28 '17 at 13:06
your example is not idiomatic
– hkBst
Dec 28 '17 at 13:06
1
1
This seems like more of a learner's question; you might be interested in checking out English Language Learners.
– J.R.
Dec 28 '17 at 15:20
This seems like more of a learner's question; you might be interested in checking out English Language Learners.
– J.R.
Dec 28 '17 at 15:20
Although the comment by @oerkelens and the answer by Gary propose similar meanings, the sentence looks so ill-formed to me that I'm not convinced that it has any meaning at all.
– Andreas Blass
Dec 29 '17 at 3:58
Although the comment by @oerkelens and the answer by Gary propose similar meanings, the sentence looks so ill-formed to me that I'm not convinced that it has any meaning at all.
– Andreas Blass
Dec 29 '17 at 3:58
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Your question:
Does this mean that her life was a blur but then when he came, it
wasnt anymore? Or 'not' should be eliminated so it will mean the way I
said?
To express the meaning you mention, not should be removed:
My life was a blur until you came and changed everything.
This means that the narrator's life was a blur, until the other person came and changed everything.
However the form you posted:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Is a very awkward construction, and actually means the opposite.
My life was a blur.... but... not until the other person came and changed everything.... meaning
When you came and changed everything my life became a blur
or words of similar effect.
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
1
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
3
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
add a comment |
It would be better if you use 'negative emphasis pattern'.
eg. Not until you came and changed everything was my life a blur.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f424062%2fim-confused-on-the-usage-of-not-until%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Your question:
Does this mean that her life was a blur but then when he came, it
wasnt anymore? Or 'not' should be eliminated so it will mean the way I
said?
To express the meaning you mention, not should be removed:
My life was a blur until you came and changed everything.
This means that the narrator's life was a blur, until the other person came and changed everything.
However the form you posted:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Is a very awkward construction, and actually means the opposite.
My life was a blur.... but... not until the other person came and changed everything.... meaning
When you came and changed everything my life became a blur
or words of similar effect.
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
1
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
3
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
add a comment |
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Your question:
Does this mean that her life was a blur but then when he came, it
wasnt anymore? Or 'not' should be eliminated so it will mean the way I
said?
To express the meaning you mention, not should be removed:
My life was a blur until you came and changed everything.
This means that the narrator's life was a blur, until the other person came and changed everything.
However the form you posted:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Is a very awkward construction, and actually means the opposite.
My life was a blur.... but... not until the other person came and changed everything.... meaning
When you came and changed everything my life became a blur
or words of similar effect.
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
1
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
3
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
add a comment |
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Your question:
Does this mean that her life was a blur but then when he came, it
wasnt anymore? Or 'not' should be eliminated so it will mean the way I
said?
To express the meaning you mention, not should be removed:
My life was a blur until you came and changed everything.
This means that the narrator's life was a blur, until the other person came and changed everything.
However the form you posted:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Is a very awkward construction, and actually means the opposite.
My life was a blur.... but... not until the other person came and changed everything.... meaning
When you came and changed everything my life became a blur
or words of similar effect.
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Your question:
Does this mean that her life was a blur but then when he came, it
wasnt anymore? Or 'not' should be eliminated so it will mean the way I
said?
To express the meaning you mention, not should be removed:
My life was a blur until you came and changed everything.
This means that the narrator's life was a blur, until the other person came and changed everything.
However the form you posted:
My life was a blur not until you came and changed everything.
Is a very awkward construction, and actually means the opposite.
My life was a blur.... but... not until the other person came and changed everything.... meaning
When you came and changed everything my life became a blur
or words of similar effect.
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
answered Dec 28 '17 at 12:27
GaryGary
8,92811744
8,92811744
1
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
3
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
add a comment |
1
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
3
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
1
1
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
Thank you so much for your help :) Thanks for making me understand 🙂
– user273645
Dec 28 '17 at 13:08
3
3
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
Just to add to this, "not until" can be used in other contexts to mean "only when". Eg "Can I go to Tom's house?" "Not until you've done your homework".
– Max Williams
Dec 28 '17 at 13:13
add a comment |
It would be better if you use 'negative emphasis pattern'.
eg. Not until you came and changed everything was my life a blur.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
It would be better if you use 'negative emphasis pattern'.
eg. Not until you came and changed everything was my life a blur.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
It would be better if you use 'negative emphasis pattern'.
eg. Not until you came and changed everything was my life a blur.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It would be better if you use 'negative emphasis pattern'.
eg. Not until you came and changed everything was my life a blur.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
answered 14 mins ago
Aung AungAung Aung
1
1
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Aung Aung is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f424062%2fim-confused-on-the-usage-of-not-until%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
8
The not seems indeed very weird in that sentence. As it stands, it is a strange way of saying "My life was not a blur - then you came along and it became a blur".
– oerkelens
Dec 28 '17 at 12:20
6
your example is not idiomatic
– hkBst
Dec 28 '17 at 13:06
1
This seems like more of a learner's question; you might be interested in checking out English Language Learners.
– J.R.
Dec 28 '17 at 15:20
Although the comment by @oerkelens and the answer by Gary propose similar meanings, the sentence looks so ill-formed to me that I'm not convinced that it has any meaning at all.
– Andreas Blass
Dec 29 '17 at 3:58