How do you write the opposite of a statement?
For instance:
"I am joyful."
Is the opposite "I am miserable," or "I'm not miserable"?
The opposite of "I am" is "I'm not" or even "you aren't", and the opposite of "joyful" is "miserable". When writing opposites, do I write the opposite of each part of the sentence? Or only some parts? Obviously the two choices here have totally different meanings.
A longer example:
"I found myself asleep at the desk."
Is the opposite simply "I found myself awake at the desk"?
Or is it something convoluted like "You lost someone else awake apart from the standing station"?
Is it all interpretation? Or is there a rule for opposites?
sentence-structure writing-style antonyms
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
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show 7 more comments
For instance:
"I am joyful."
Is the opposite "I am miserable," or "I'm not miserable"?
The opposite of "I am" is "I'm not" or even "you aren't", and the opposite of "joyful" is "miserable". When writing opposites, do I write the opposite of each part of the sentence? Or only some parts? Obviously the two choices here have totally different meanings.
A longer example:
"I found myself asleep at the desk."
Is the opposite simply "I found myself awake at the desk"?
Or is it something convoluted like "You lost someone else awake apart from the standing station"?
Is it all interpretation? Or is there a rule for opposites?
sentence-structure writing-style antonyms
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please define what you mean by opposite in the context of a statement.
– Jim
Dec 20 at 6:34
The terms "logical opposite" vs "polar opposite" are sometimes used for clarity. The logical opposite of anything is just not that thing. So the logical opposite of "I am joyful" is simply "I am not joyful." Note that this doesn't limit you to misery; content, indifferent, and slightly miffed would all also fit into the "logically opposite" bin from "joyful". The polar opposite, on the other hand, is where miserableness comes in.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 6:45
One. Just use the opposite of one thing to get the opposite meaning of the sentence. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:32
@1006a I'm afraid that's way over the top for a beginner.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:33
@Kris the OP doesn't sound like an English language beginner; this sounds more like an early logic/philosophy question. Logical opposition vs polar opposition is a pretty basic concept from that POV (I'm pretty sure it's mostly used in prepping for standardized tests that have a logic section, rather than by actual philosophers, in fact). Come to think of it, User178683, you might consider asking your question on the Philosophy Stack Exchange.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 14:12
|
show 7 more comments
For instance:
"I am joyful."
Is the opposite "I am miserable," or "I'm not miserable"?
The opposite of "I am" is "I'm not" or even "you aren't", and the opposite of "joyful" is "miserable". When writing opposites, do I write the opposite of each part of the sentence? Or only some parts? Obviously the two choices here have totally different meanings.
A longer example:
"I found myself asleep at the desk."
Is the opposite simply "I found myself awake at the desk"?
Or is it something convoluted like "You lost someone else awake apart from the standing station"?
Is it all interpretation? Or is there a rule for opposites?
sentence-structure writing-style antonyms
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
For instance:
"I am joyful."
Is the opposite "I am miserable," or "I'm not miserable"?
The opposite of "I am" is "I'm not" or even "you aren't", and the opposite of "joyful" is "miserable". When writing opposites, do I write the opposite of each part of the sentence? Or only some parts? Obviously the two choices here have totally different meanings.
A longer example:
"I found myself asleep at the desk."
Is the opposite simply "I found myself awake at the desk"?
Or is it something convoluted like "You lost someone else awake apart from the standing station"?
Is it all interpretation? Or is there a rule for opposites?
sentence-structure writing-style antonyms
sentence-structure writing-style antonyms
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
asked Dec 20 at 4:52
user178683
1
1
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user178683 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please define what you mean by opposite in the context of a statement.
– Jim
Dec 20 at 6:34
The terms "logical opposite" vs "polar opposite" are sometimes used for clarity. The logical opposite of anything is just not that thing. So the logical opposite of "I am joyful" is simply "I am not joyful." Note that this doesn't limit you to misery; content, indifferent, and slightly miffed would all also fit into the "logically opposite" bin from "joyful". The polar opposite, on the other hand, is where miserableness comes in.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 6:45
One. Just use the opposite of one thing to get the opposite meaning of the sentence. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:32
@1006a I'm afraid that's way over the top for a beginner.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:33
@Kris the OP doesn't sound like an English language beginner; this sounds more like an early logic/philosophy question. Logical opposition vs polar opposition is a pretty basic concept from that POV (I'm pretty sure it's mostly used in prepping for standardized tests that have a logic section, rather than by actual philosophers, in fact). Come to think of it, User178683, you might consider asking your question on the Philosophy Stack Exchange.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 14:12
|
show 7 more comments
Please define what you mean by opposite in the context of a statement.
– Jim
Dec 20 at 6:34
The terms "logical opposite" vs "polar opposite" are sometimes used for clarity. The logical opposite of anything is just not that thing. So the logical opposite of "I am joyful" is simply "I am not joyful." Note that this doesn't limit you to misery; content, indifferent, and slightly miffed would all also fit into the "logically opposite" bin from "joyful". The polar opposite, on the other hand, is where miserableness comes in.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 6:45
One. Just use the opposite of one thing to get the opposite meaning of the sentence. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:32
@1006a I'm afraid that's way over the top for a beginner.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:33
@Kris the OP doesn't sound like an English language beginner; this sounds more like an early logic/philosophy question. Logical opposition vs polar opposition is a pretty basic concept from that POV (I'm pretty sure it's mostly used in prepping for standardized tests that have a logic section, rather than by actual philosophers, in fact). Come to think of it, User178683, you might consider asking your question on the Philosophy Stack Exchange.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 14:12
Please define what you mean by opposite in the context of a statement.
– Jim
Dec 20 at 6:34
Please define what you mean by opposite in the context of a statement.
– Jim
Dec 20 at 6:34
The terms "logical opposite" vs "polar opposite" are sometimes used for clarity. The logical opposite of anything is just not that thing. So the logical opposite of "I am joyful" is simply "I am not joyful." Note that this doesn't limit you to misery; content, indifferent, and slightly miffed would all also fit into the "logically opposite" bin from "joyful". The polar opposite, on the other hand, is where miserableness comes in.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 6:45
The terms "logical opposite" vs "polar opposite" are sometimes used for clarity. The logical opposite of anything is just not that thing. So the logical opposite of "I am joyful" is simply "I am not joyful." Note that this doesn't limit you to misery; content, indifferent, and slightly miffed would all also fit into the "logically opposite" bin from "joyful". The polar opposite, on the other hand, is where miserableness comes in.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 6:45
One. Just use the opposite of one thing to get the opposite meaning of the sentence. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:32
One. Just use the opposite of one thing to get the opposite meaning of the sentence. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:32
@1006a I'm afraid that's way over the top for a beginner.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:33
@1006a I'm afraid that's way over the top for a beginner.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:33
@Kris the OP doesn't sound like an English language beginner; this sounds more like an early logic/philosophy question. Logical opposition vs polar opposition is a pretty basic concept from that POV (I'm pretty sure it's mostly used in prepping for standardized tests that have a logic section, rather than by actual philosophers, in fact). Come to think of it, User178683, you might consider asking your question on the Philosophy Stack Exchange.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 14:12
@Kris the OP doesn't sound like an English language beginner; this sounds more like an early logic/philosophy question. Logical opposition vs polar opposition is a pretty basic concept from that POV (I'm pretty sure it's mostly used in prepping for standardized tests that have a logic section, rather than by actual philosophers, in fact). Come to think of it, User178683, you might consider asking your question on the Philosophy Stack Exchange.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 14:12
|
show 7 more comments
1 Answer
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'Opposites' (or antonyms) are words, not sentences (or clauses).
We use opposites (like any words) to complete the sentence.
The sentences with different opposites differ in meaning.
So, to change the general meaning of the sentence (or clause) that's enough to use only one opposite.
For example:
I'm hungry. - l'm full up.
This taxi-driver is very careful. - This taxi-driver is very careless.
It's lucky that we got here early. - It's unlucky that we got here late.
When you use negative words (like not, nobody, never, etc.) we make the whole sentence negative.
In this case we don't use opposites.
For example:
I'm not hungry. = I'm full up.
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
add a comment |
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'Opposites' (or antonyms) are words, not sentences (or clauses).
We use opposites (like any words) to complete the sentence.
The sentences with different opposites differ in meaning.
So, to change the general meaning of the sentence (or clause) that's enough to use only one opposite.
For example:
I'm hungry. - l'm full up.
This taxi-driver is very careful. - This taxi-driver is very careless.
It's lucky that we got here early. - It's unlucky that we got here late.
When you use negative words (like not, nobody, never, etc.) we make the whole sentence negative.
In this case we don't use opposites.
For example:
I'm not hungry. = I'm full up.
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
add a comment |
'Opposites' (or antonyms) are words, not sentences (or clauses).
We use opposites (like any words) to complete the sentence.
The sentences with different opposites differ in meaning.
So, to change the general meaning of the sentence (or clause) that's enough to use only one opposite.
For example:
I'm hungry. - l'm full up.
This taxi-driver is very careful. - This taxi-driver is very careless.
It's lucky that we got here early. - It's unlucky that we got here late.
When you use negative words (like not, nobody, never, etc.) we make the whole sentence negative.
In this case we don't use opposites.
For example:
I'm not hungry. = I'm full up.
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
add a comment |
'Opposites' (or antonyms) are words, not sentences (or clauses).
We use opposites (like any words) to complete the sentence.
The sentences with different opposites differ in meaning.
So, to change the general meaning of the sentence (or clause) that's enough to use only one opposite.
For example:
I'm hungry. - l'm full up.
This taxi-driver is very careful. - This taxi-driver is very careless.
It's lucky that we got here early. - It's unlucky that we got here late.
When you use negative words (like not, nobody, never, etc.) we make the whole sentence negative.
In this case we don't use opposites.
For example:
I'm not hungry. = I'm full up.
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
'Opposites' (or antonyms) are words, not sentences (or clauses).
We use opposites (like any words) to complete the sentence.
The sentences with different opposites differ in meaning.
So, to change the general meaning of the sentence (or clause) that's enough to use only one opposite.
For example:
I'm hungry. - l'm full up.
This taxi-driver is very careful. - This taxi-driver is very careless.
It's lucky that we got here early. - It's unlucky that we got here late.
When you use negative words (like not, nobody, never, etc.) we make the whole sentence negative.
In this case we don't use opposites.
For example:
I'm not hungry. = I'm full up.
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
edited Dec 20 at 6:41
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
answered Dec 20 at 6:30
user307254
2,600211
2,600211
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
add a comment |
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
What about the other way(s) of conveying the opposite meaning? The OP has a point there. See my comment at OP.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:35
add a comment |
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Please define what you mean by opposite in the context of a statement.
– Jim
Dec 20 at 6:34
The terms "logical opposite" vs "polar opposite" are sometimes used for clarity. The logical opposite of anything is just not that thing. So the logical opposite of "I am joyful" is simply "I am not joyful." Note that this doesn't limit you to misery; content, indifferent, and slightly miffed would all also fit into the "logically opposite" bin from "joyful". The polar opposite, on the other hand, is where miserableness comes in.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 6:45
One. Just use the opposite of one thing to get the opposite meaning of the sentence. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:32
@1006a I'm afraid that's way over the top for a beginner.
– Kris
Dec 20 at 8:33
@Kris the OP doesn't sound like an English language beginner; this sounds more like an early logic/philosophy question. Logical opposition vs polar opposition is a pretty basic concept from that POV (I'm pretty sure it's mostly used in prepping for standardized tests that have a logic section, rather than by actual philosophers, in fact). Come to think of it, User178683, you might consider asking your question on the Philosophy Stack Exchange.
– 1006a
Dec 20 at 14:12