is this corrrect?

Question

I was trying not to get mad
or is it
I was trying to not get mad
or both

Answer 1

Hello... The correct way is: I was trying not to get mad...

Have a great day.

Let me help you know why...

Trying to not get mad is like trying to get a Dog.

Remember that the word " TO" means expressing direction or position in relation to a particular location, point, or condition.

So, if you try to, then you are trying to accomplish something... If you are avoiding something, then you use TO before the last two words.... However, I was trying not to get mad. Note mad is an adjective.

I was trying to not get mad is technically incorrect, since it could have been broken down... Any sentence that can be broken down is considered technically incorrect.

However, Make sure and clearn up your room. Incorrect

Make sure to clean up your room. Correct.

Answer 2

You have a good question there. If you are doing this for an English class, use "I was trying not to get mad." It is considered incorrect by some to split up the verb phase "to get".

However, in everyday usage, who cares? ;) Here are a few references showing that split infinitives are no longer considered to be errors in grammer:

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutgrammar/splitinfinitives
http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/susan/cyc/s/split.htm
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/s.html

Answer 3

They are both the same...aren't they?
What were you trying not to get mad about?

Answer 4

I was trying not to get mad, sounds better

Answer 5

"I was trying not to get mad." Never split an infinitive.

I, however, would go with "I was trying not to become angry."

Answer 6

is a left a right?
a right a left?
or both?
as stupid as that sounds is how your stupid question sounds

Answer 7

avoid both

Answer 8

umm.....both. i think.

Answer 9

must be both..............lol...........