Sentence 1: Why doesn't this machine work?
Sentence 2: Why does this machine not work?
2007-03-10 18:11:42 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
#1 can mean either of the following:
A) Asking why a machine doesn't do a specific task.
Example: Why doesn't this (washing) machine work (to dry clothes)?
B) Asking why the machine is broken.
#2 is asking why the machine is broken.
If you enjoy this type of thing you should consider taking a linguistics syntax class.
2007-03-10 18:15:26 · answer #1 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Using a contraction to shortens the sentence and placing "not" after machine instead of after "does". Why does not this machine work?
Sentence 2 puts the emphasis on what the machine is or is not doing.
2007-03-10 18:18:33 · answer #2 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I may be wrong, but to me it sounds like the 1st sentence, "Why doesn't this machine work." is talking about one machine that is broken or not working. Like if you are at home and you have one washer and it doesn't work. Why isn't this thing working?
The 2nd sentence sounds like there are a lot of machines and you are talking about a specific one, "Why does THIS machine not work." Like if you were at a laundry mat and there were several machines, but you were only talking about this specific one.
2007-03-10 18:22:42 · answer #3 · answered by So_many_questions 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the first implies the machine is broken or without a power source.
the second implies the machine is slacking off while it ought to be working.
2007-03-10 19:28:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
two sentences, worded differently, asking the same question.
2007-03-10 18:20:44 · answer #5 · answered by Brandon M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nothing really, you are asking the same thing you just switched some words around.
2007-03-10 18:15:28 · answer #6 · answered by Halley 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
really nothing their both asking the same question just worded differently aside from that the verb is in a different place
2007-03-10 18:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
one is proper english the other is a combo of 2 words using doesn't.
proper english, slang..
2007-03-10 18:15:18 · answer #8 · answered by Lilly 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
a contraction and a differently placed adverb?.....is this a trick question? Or is this question a trick?
2007-03-10 18:17:44 · answer #9 · answered by John K 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
arent they the same
2007-03-10 18:15:09 · answer #10 · answered by amazingly_sweet_8 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋