Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'not to' for formal writing and 'to not' for emphasis or to avoid sounding like a robot.
- Standard: Put 'not' before 'to' for most situations. Example: 'I decided not to go.'
- Emphasis: Put 'not' after 'to' to stress the negative action. Example: 'I want you to NOT touch that.'
- Clarity: Use 'to not' if 'not to' makes the sentence sound confusing or awkward.
Overview
not to do 和 to not do 之间的选择往往像是一个幽灵般的规则：你可能听过某位老师说其中一个是错的，或者在某本过时的语法书上看到“千万不要拆分不定式”的警告。但作为一名长期观察中英语言差异的老师，我要告诉你：在现代英语中，这两者都是正确的。它们之间的区别不在于“对错”，而在于语感、强调重心以及正式程度。to 这样的不定式符号，这种简单的结构让我们在面对英语“不定式否定”时感到困惑。你是该说 not to go 还是 to not go？not to do，认为 to 和动词原形是一个不可分割的整体。但在实际的职场交流、美剧对话甚至是现代新闻写作中，to not do（即“拆分不定式” split infinitive）的使用频率极高，因为它能提供更精准的语义强调。本指南将带你深度剖析这两个结构的细微差别，帮助你在写邮件、考雅思托福或在朋友圈发英文动态时，听起来更像是一个地道的 Native Speaker。to + 动词原形 组成，比如 to eat、to study。它在句子中不担任谓语，而是作为名词、形容词或副词使用。not 应该放在哪里？not to + verbnot 否定的是整个“去做的动作”这一概念。你可以把它想象成：[not] + [to do something]- 中文直译感：[不] + [去做某事]
to not + verbnot 被紧紧地塞在了 to 和动词中间。这种结构就像是在放大镜下观察动词，把否定直接贴在动作本身。这种做法在现代英语中被称为“Split Infinitive”（拆分不定式）。[to] + [not do] + [something]- 中文直译感：[去] + [不执行这个动作]
not 的位置，说话人可以微妙地改变他想表达的情绪。not to 听起来比较客观、冷静；而 to not 则带有一种主观的、坚决的、甚至是刻意为之的语感。这就好比你在微信上回复老板：“我决定不参加聚餐了”，和“我决定，坚决不参加聚餐了”，后者的情感色彩更浓郁。not 永远排在 to 的前面。它是学术论文、正式报告、高考或四六级考试中的“安全牌”。decide + not to | I decided not to buy the new iPhone. (我决定不买新手机了。) |important + not to | It is important not to forget your password. (不忘记密码是很重要的。) |attempt + not to | It was an attempt not to offend anyone. (那是为了不冒犯任何人的尝试。) |not 位于 to 之后，动词原形之前。它常用于强调“不”这个动作的针对性。try + to not | I'm trying to not care about the results. (我正努力让自己不去在意结果。) |determined + to not | She was determined to not let her parents down. (她下定决心不让父母失望。) |promise + to not | He made a promise to not interfere. (他承诺绝不干涉。) |- 考试求稳，
not站to前。 - 口语强调，
not站中间。
not to + verbnot to。在严谨的文体中，拆分不定式仍被一些保守的读者视为不够专业。- 例子：
The company resolved not to increase prices this year.(公司决定今年不涨价。) - 原因： 显得客观、中立、符合传统规范。
to not + verb (用于强调)to not 更有力量。这在表达“努力做/试图做某事”时非常常见。- 例子：
I’m really trying to not check my WeChat every five minutes.(我真的在努力做到不每五分钟看一次微信。) - 语感： 这里用
to not check强调了“不看”这个动作是我正在努力执行的目标。
He agreed quickly not to go.quickly 是修饰 agreed（很快同意了）还是修饰 not to go（很快地不去）？语义模糊。He agreed to not quickly go.not to | 规避任何可能的扣分风险。 |not to | 建立专业、严谨的职业形象。 |to not | 听起来更自然、随性、地道。 |to not | 能够更好地突出否定动作本身。 |don't / didn'tdon't 来表示“不”。- 错误例子：
*I decided to don't go. - 原因解析： 助动词
do/does/did只能用来辅助“谓语动词”构成否定（如I don't go）。但不定式to go不是谓语，它不需要助动词。它只需要一个简单的副词not。 - 正确做法：
I decided not to go.或I decided to not go.
- 对比 A：
I didn't promise to help you.(我没有承诺要帮你。——事实是我没许下诺言。) - 对比 B：
I promised not to help you.(我承诺过不帮你。——事实是我许诺了，诺言的内容是“不帮忙”。) - 中国学生常犯： 想表达 B 的意思，却脱口而出说了 A。请记住：
not离哪个词近，就否定哪个词。
not 的位置太靠后not 放在动词后面。- 错误例子：
*They told me to be not late. - 原因解析： 在英语中，否定词
not必须置于它所修饰的成分之前。 - 正确做法：
They told me not to be late.
to work | not to work | to not work |working | not working | (无拆分形式) |I work | I don't work | (无拆分形式) |working 的否定永远只能是 not working（比如 I enjoy not working），你不能把 not 塞进单词中间。这种独特性使得 to not do 成了英语中一个非常具有表现力的工具。- 1
It's better not to tell him.(最好别告诉他。—— 一句普遍的建议。) - 2
It's better to not tell him.(最好还是“别告诉”他。—— 带有某种刻意的保护或隐瞒的意味。)
not to do。虽然 to not do 在现代英语中完全被接受，但在标准化的学术考试中，阅卷老师可能比较传统。为了不必要的争议，请坚持使用“不拆分”的传统形式。to not do 是错误的？to never do 也是一样的道理吗？not，其他的副词如 never, always, completely 也会遇到这个问题。例如 to never smoke (永远不抽烟) 和 never to smoke。逻辑是一模一样的：to never smoke 听起来决心更大，更像是一个生活准则。not？The goal is to not only survive, but thrive. (目标不仅是生存，更是繁荣。) 如果你把 not 放在 to 前面（not only to survive），句子结构会变得非常啰嗦。在这里，拆分不定式能让 not only 和 but also 的对应结构更加整齐划一。I'm trying to not eat too much takeout (外卖)；而在给老板写周报时，记得回归 I've decided not to delay the project。这种根据环境切换语法的能力，就是你迈向高级英语的关键一步！Negating the Infinitive
| Type | Structure | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard
|
Not + to + verb
|
I decided not to go.
|
Formal/Neutral
|
|
Split (Emphatic)
|
To + not + verb
|
I decided to not go.
|
Informal/Strong
|
|
With Adverb
|
To + adverb + not + verb
|
I try to really not care.
|
Very Informal
|
|
Perfect Infinitive
|
Not + to + have + past participle
|
I'm sorry not to have called.
|
Formal
|
|
Passive Infinitive
|
Not + to + be + past participle
|
He asked not to be disturbed.
|
Neutral
|
Meanings
The placement of the negative particle 'not' in relation to an infinitive verb (to + base form).
Standard Negation
The traditional way to negate an infinitive by placing 'not' before the entire infinitive phrase.
“I prefer not to say.”
“He was told not to enter.”
Emphatic Split
Placing 'not' between 'to' and the verb to strongly emphasize the negative state.
“It's important to not fail.”
“I need you to not scream.”
Ambiguity Avoidance
Using 'to not' to ensure the 'not' applies only to the infinitive and not the preceding verb.
“He agreed to not go (He agreed to stay).”
“He didn't agree to go (He refused).”
Reference Table
| 形式 (Form) | 风格 (Style) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
|
`not to + verb`
|
正式、传统
|
The board decided not to approve the budget.
|
|
`to not + verb`
|
非正式、现代
|
I'm really trying to not eat cake before dinner.
|
|
`not to + verb`
|
正式、传统
|
You are advised not to enter the restricted area.
|
|
`to not + verb`
|
非正式、现代
|
He promised his friends to not be late for the game.
|
|
`not to + verb`
|
中立、礼貌请求
|
Please try not to make too much noise.
|
|
`to not + verb`
|
强调语气
|
She made a point to not interrupt the speaker.
|
|
`not to + verb`
|
一般原则
|
The aim of the game is not to lose.
|
|
`to not + verb`
|
个人目标
|
My resolution is to not worry about things I can't control.
|
正式程度
I decided not to comment on the matter. (Legal/Social)
I decided not to say anything. (Legal/Social)
I decided to not say a word. (Legal/Social)
I chose to just not. (Legal/Social)
To-Not vs. Not-To 对比
如何否定不定式
正式 / 传统 (Formal / Traditional)
- not to see He chose not to see the movie.
- not to speak They were instructed not to speak.
非正式 / 现代 (Informal / Modern)
- to not see He chose to not see the movie.
- to not speak Let's try to not speak so loudly.
我该用哪种形式？
这是一个正式场合吗（如学术论文、商业合同）？
你想强调 'not'（不）这个词吗？
各种形式的适用场景
最适合 `not to`
- • 正式论文
- • 商务邮件
- • 官方规定
- • 礼貌请求
非常适合 `to not`
- • 给朋友发短信
- • 日常闲聊
- • 强调语气
- • 个人目标
按水平分级的例句
I try not to be late.
Trato de no llegar tarde.
Please tell him not to go.
Por favor, dile que no vaya.
It is good not to smoke.
Es bueno no fumar.
I want not to eat meat.
Quiero no comer carne.
We decided not to buy the car.
Decidimos no comprar el coche.
She promised not to tell anyone.
Ella prometió no decírselo a nadie.
Try not to make a noise.
Intenta no hacer ruido.
It's hard not to like him.
Es difícil que no te caiga bien.
I'd prefer to not discuss this right now.
Preferiría no discutir esto ahora mismo.
He was careful not to wake the baby.
Tuvo cuidado de no despertar al bebé.
It is important to not overthink the problem.
Es importante no pensar demasiado en el problema.
They agreed not to sign the contract yet.
Acordaron no firmar el contrato todavía.
The challenge is to not lose focus during the exam.
El desafío es no perder la concentración durante el examen.
He was advised not to respond to the provocative comments.
Se le aconsejó no responder a los comentarios provocativos.
To not have invited her would have been rude.
No haberla invitado habría sido grosero.
She struggled not to show her disappointment.
Luchó por no mostrar su decepción.
The goal of the policy is to not only reduce costs but also improve quality.
El objetivo de la política es no solo reducir costos sino también mejorar la calidad.
One must learn to not be swayed by public opinion.
Uno debe aprender a no dejarse influir por la opinión pública.
He chose to not explicitly deny the allegations.
Eligió no negar explícitamente las acusaciones.
The directive was to not under any circumstances open the vault.
La directiva era no abrir la bóveda bajo ninguna circunstancia.
To not so much as acknowledge his presence was a calculated insult.
Ni siquiera reconocer su presencia fue un insulto calculado.
The actor's ability to not overplay the role was praised by critics.
La capacidad del actor para no sobreactuar el papel fue elogiada por la crítica.
In his quest to not be forgotten, he built monuments across the city.
En su búsqueda por no ser olvidado, construyó monumentos por toda la ciudad.
The difficulty lies in learning to not merely survive, but thrive.
La dificultad radica en aprender a no simplemente sobrevivir, sino a prosperar.
容易混淆
Learners use 'don't' for both.
Negating these changes the meaning drastically.
The position of 'not' changes whether you forgot the action or remembered to avoid it.
常见错误
I want to no go.
I want not to go.
He said me not go.
He told me not to go.
I try to don't cry.
I try not to cry.
Not go is bad.
Not to go is bad.
I decided to not.
I decided not to.
She told me to not eat.
She told me not to eat.
It's important no to forget.
It's important not to forget.
I remembered to not call.
I remembered not to call.
He asked me to not be late.
He asked me not to be late.
I prefer to not.
I prefer not to.
To not really have tried is a shame.
Not to have really tried is a shame.
句型
It is important not to ___.
I've decided to not ___ anymore.
She was warned not to ___.
The best way to not ___ is to ___.
Real World Usage
I try not to let stress affect my performance.
Try to not be late pls!
The party agrees not to disclose confidential information.
How to not care what people think.
Try not to move your arm.
Be careful to not overcook the pasta.
拿不准时，就别拆开
not to 绝对不会出错。比如：I decided not to attend the meeting.
小心“语法警察”
You are advised not to enter.
拆开是为了强调
to not 效果拉满！比如：I chose to not go to the party.
拥抱现代英语的拆分
to not 会让你听起来更像母语者："I'm trying to not check my phone."Smart Tips
Always place 'not' before 'to'. It makes you sound more educated and respectful of traditional grammar.
Split the infinitive and put extra stress on the word 'NOT'.
Don't be afraid to split it. Clarity is more important than old rules.
Treat 'never' just like 'not'. 'Never to' is formal; 'to never' is emphatic.
发音
Emphasis on 'Not'
In 'to not', the word 'not' is usually stressed and has a higher pitch.
Schwa in 'To'
In 'not to', the 'to' is often reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Emphatic Split
I need you to ↗NOT↘ do that.
Strong warning or correction.
记住它
记忆技巧
Put 'Not' before 'To' to be a pro. Put 'Not' in the middle to solve the riddle (of emphasis).
视觉联想
Imagine a 'No Entry' sign standing right in front of a door labeled 'TO'. That's 'Not To'. Now imagine the sign is inside the room. That's 'To Not'.
Rhyme
If you want to be polite, 'not to' is usually right.
Story
A student named Tim always tried 'not to' fail his exams. But one day, his teacher said, 'Tim, I need you to NOT fail this time!' The teacher split the infinitive because the situation was urgent.
Word Web
挑战
Write three things you are trying 'not to' do this week, and one thing you are determined 'to NOT' do ever again.
文化笔记
Traditionally more resistant to split infinitives in formal education, though this is changing.
More flexible with 'to not' in journalism and media to sound more direct.
Some old-fashioned professors still consider 'to not' a mistake. When in doubt, use 'not to'.
The 'rule' against splitting infinitives was popularized by Henry Alford and other 19th-century grammarians who idolized Latin.
对话开场白
What is one thing you try not to do on the weekend?
If you could choose to not have one chore, what would it be?
Have you ever been told not to do something, but you did it anyway?
In your opinion, is it better to not know the future?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
She advised him ___ be late for the interview.
not to + 动词。这是一种正式且正确的给出建议的方式。Choose the correct sentence:
to not eat 这种拆分不定式来表达这个想法，非常常见且自然。Find and fix the mistake:
They decided to go not to the party.
not 必须直接放在 to 的前面（not to go）或者 to 和动词之间（to not go）。放在其他任何位置都是错的。Score: /3
练习题
8 exercisesHe decided ___ the job.
Find and fix the mistake:
I try to don't eat sugar.
I need you to ___ (not / forget) the milk!
Don't be late. (He told me...)
'To not know is better than to lie.'
A: Are you coming to the party? B: I'd prefer ___.
1. Not to smoke. 2. To not smoke.
1. I remembered not to call. 2. I didn't remember to call.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe first rule of book club is ___ talk about book club. Wait, that's not right.
My personal goal this year is ___ worry so much about small things.
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
She reminded me to forget not the keys.
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved not at all.
Translate into English: 'El médico me dijo que no comiera azúcar.' (The doctor told me not to eat sugar.)
Translate into English: 'Decidí no ir a la fiesta.' (I decided not to go to the party.)
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence halves based on formal or informal style:
Match the verb with its negative infinitive phrase:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
No, not in modern English. It was a rule made up in the 1800s to make English more like Latin. Today, it's perfectly fine, especially for clarity.
In very formal academic writing or legal documents, it's safer to use `not to` to avoid looking 'unprofessional' to traditionalists.
Sometimes. It can shift the focus. `He agreed not to go` means he said yes to staying. `He didn't agree to go` means he refused to go.
Yes! `To never see you again` is a common split infinitive used for strong emotion.
It's a historical preference. Some people were taught that 'to + verb' is a single unit that should never be broken.
Shakespeare said `To be, or not to be`. This is the standard. `To not be` sounds very modern and emphatic.
No, 'should' is a modal verb. You say `should not go`, not `should not to go`.
Using `no` instead of `not` (e.g., `I want to no go`). Always use `not`!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
no + infinitivo
English requires 'not' instead of 'no'.
ne pas + infinitif
French negation is two words, English is one.
nicht zu + Infinitiv
German word order is more rigid about the 'zu' placement.
verb-nai + koto
Japanese negation is part of the verb, not a separate word before it.
an + la + verb
The order is fixed in Arabic, unlike the flexible English split.
bu + verb
Chinese speakers often forget the 'to' in English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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