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extraneous negation

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June 13, 2012, 16:55
goofy
extraneous negation
I'm reading John Wyndham's The Chrysalids, and I noticed this:
quote:

It was perplexing to know whether the time had not come when we ought to get rid of the tell-tale great-horses - perhaps drive them on along the track while we made off in a different direction on foot. The decision was difficult to make without more information.


I don't see how the presence or absence of that not makes any difference to the meaning. Similar to these sentences.
June 13, 2012, 17:56
Geoff
To me it adds a sense that the writer feels that the time HAS come, without question, despite hs claiming to be perplexed.


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
June 13, 2012, 20:29
Kalleh
I wonder if in this case it isn't a form of "...perplexing to know whether or not the time had come..."
June 14, 2012, 04:49
wordmatic
I agree with Geoff. It's idiomatic and it emphasizes that the time has come.

WM
June 14, 2012, 07:05
arnie
Ditto to Geoff and wordmatic.


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
June 14, 2012, 19:31
goofy
Well, I don't get that interpretation, but fair enough.
June 16, 2012, 06:23
Kalleh
Yes, in rereading it I can see that it isn't my way. Yet, I don't interpret it Geoff's way either.

On a different point, in that 2006 post that you linked to, goofy, I see it was your first time here with us. So glad you joined us!