36 Comments
How would you translate "I didn't decide to remain here"
The two sentences have quite different meanings in english
Yes indeed. One sentence (the Duolingo one) seems to indicate that the decision to remain here (or not) has not been made (yet). The other (Beppe's above) -- "Ho deciso di non rimanere qui" -- indicates that the decision HAS been made and it is to not remain here. Two quite different meanings...
thank you so much for this other phrase I was really curious as well and now the word placement makes alot of sense if I was online right now id give u a lingot , the app alas , doesnt have that option
As far as the English meaning: I think "I have not decided to remain here." and "I didn't decide to remain here." both mean the exact same thing. They both mean (or imply) that either the decision has not been made yet whether to stay here or not, or some other decision has been made which is not to remain here. You could follow up either sentence with "I have also not decided to leave this place." and it would not be a contradiction. It just seems like an indecisive person to me.
If you were to say, "I decided to not remain here" that would have a different meaning.
491
The meanings are different. "I didn't decide to remain here" would refer to some event in the past. "I didn't decide to remain here, my Mum made me stay" "I have not decided to remain here" refers more to your current decision state. Sometimes people say it when they mean "I have decided not to stay here", although the senses are technically different. "Are you keeping your room?" "I have not decided to remain here" means don't give me a contract yet. " I have decided not to stay here is unambiguous
Should this be "I have not decided to remain here." or "I have decided not to remain here."?
In my opinion
- "I have not decided to remain here."
Means that you haven't made your mind up whether or not to stay.
"I have not decided yet"
- "I have decided not to remain here."
Means you have decided not to stay.
"I have decided not to remain here." = Ho deciso di non rimanere qui.
"I have not decided to remain here." = Non ho deciso di rimanere qui."
Thank you for clarifying this and answering the question. This is very helpful.
I wonder the same - very helpful
EDIT(8 months later): and I still got it wrong again! But on second thoughts if I was constructing this sentence I would say '.. decided whether to remain here'
Thank you - while we can discuss the different interpretations, it's most helpful to have someone clarify how to say the second sentence in Italian. Putting non in front of rimanere makes sense in where the emphasis is. Have a lingot for getting to the heart of the matter!
Thanks. The first just sounds less natural in English. I would say "I haven't decided whether to remain here."
- 11
I agree. Maybe "I have not decided to remain here" should make sense in English if you are in a situation where are compelled to remain in that place ...
Anyway, "I have decided not to remain here" should be translated as: "ho deciso di non rimanere qui"
Yes, this is a strange sentence. It translates as the first one but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense unless you were remaining somewhere against your will.
"I haven't decided whether to remain here." = Non ho deciso se rimanere qui.
- 1787
I believe the difference betwen "I did not decide to.." and "I decided not to.." is mirrored in Italian by "Non ho deciso di..." vs. "Ho deciso di non.."
I would translate "I decided not to remain here" with "Ho deciso di non rimanere qui"
How is it different from "I have decided not to remain here" and what is the Italian version for this sentence??
A subtle difference, I think: "I have not decided..." suggests that perhaps the decision has not yet been made ("not" is related to "decided", not to "remain"). Your alternative suggests that the decision has been made and it is to not remain here.
The second part of the question seems unanswered How would one say: I have decided not to remain here. If not with this statement?
- 135
I didn't want to risk it because I'm sure it's wrong, but how might you say "I haven't decided whether to remain here"?
EDIT: Come to think of it, I believe this is grammatically incorrect. I mean to ask how to say "I haven't decided whether or not to stay here".
I think Duo is having a problem with haven't and have not, at least it marked my attempt wrong, with everything else in order.
