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20. No, the two expressions do not necessarily
lead to the same conclusion. Beware of double -- or triple -- negatives! The first speaker denies SAYING [s]he didn't see anyone. This is tantamount to No, I didn't say I didn't do it, so maybe I did." The second speaker uses the same words, but pauses and breaks them into two sentences: one denies saying something --- we cannot tell exactly what --- then a simple declaration: "I did not see anyone." |