否定の世界

*John is here, I don't think.

【和訳】

ジョンはここにはいないと思います。

John isn't here, I think [I don't think].

【要点】

主節が否定の内容でなければ否定の挿入節は使えない。Klima (1964), Cattel (1973), etc.

【類例】

1) Harry isn't the murderer [*is the murderer], I don't say. / Harry isn't the murderer [*is the murderer], I deny.

2) John isn't here, I think [I don't think]. / He didn't leave, I think [I don't think]. / He left, I think [*I don't think].

3) In not many years will Christmas fall on a Thursday [= Christmas won't fall on a Thursday in a few years], I don't think [I think]. / In not many years, Christmas will fall on a Thursday [Christmas will fall on a Thursday in a few years], I think [*I don't think].

【出典】