The government was warned to not indulge in too much borrowing this year. vs The government was warned not to indulge in too much borrowing this year.

Both phrases are correct, but the second one is more commonly used. The difference lies in the placement of the word 'not' in the sentence. In English, it is more common to place 'not' before the main verb 'indulge' rather than after 'warned.'

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 736 views

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"The government was warned to not indulge in too much borrowing this year."

This phrase is grammatically correct but less common in English. It conveys the idea that the government received a warning about indulging in too much borrowing.

Show examples from the web [+]

Forgive me if I do not indulge in such talk.
However, we must not indulge in pessimism or defeatism.
It is vital that heads of government do not indulge in self-congratulation.
Please do not indulge in parliamentary filibustering.
Do not indulge in them, they are nothing more than childish mountebanks and amateurs.
We need to ensure that we do not indulge in needless harmonisation which endangers national security.
This is the power of enlargement, and we must see the bigger picture and not indulge in populism.
Whilst we should protect valuable social achievements, we should not indulge in protectionism, nationalism and certainly not xenophobia.
But I would like to say that we must not indulge in a sort of pessimism about the European Union's inability to reach common positions.
It is a rule of this Parliament that persons in the gallery should not indulge in any expression of their feelings.
What we are talking about here is freedom of expression, but let us not indulge in demagoguery please.
Let us allow Renan to refresh our memories, but let us not indulge in excesses which are less than rational and of dubious morality.
Cynicism is an easy option and I will not indulge in it.
Buckley was warned to back off Danton.
When he refused, he was warned to leave the village.
Your rapporteur is deliberately opting for an adequate solution to the problems of this group of citizens and recommends that we should not indulge in legal hair-splitting which might impede the rapid resolution of the matter at issue.
Obviously, there are shortcomings, but we Europeans are sometimes inclined to indulge in too much self-criticism.
When I was warned to back off, I kept pushing him.
In the 1980s, the Canadian Government was warned by fishermen that cod was being dangerously overfished.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, Ensign, but before we indulge in too much speculation, let's see if we can back up your assumptions with some facts.

Alternatives:

the government was warned not to indulge in too much borrowing this year.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"The government was warned not to indulge in too much borrowing this year."

This phrase is the more common way to express the idea that the government received a warning against indulging in too much borrowing. 'Not' is placed before the main verb 'indulge.'

Show examples from the web [+]

To say this is not to take a formalistic approach towards jurisdiction and certainly not to indulge in any sort of legal nitpicking.
I therefore ask the Commission to call explicitly on the European citizens not to indulge in this sort of tourism.
It is just that I am trying not to indulge in demagoguery.
Without anticipating whether or not there will be a ban, let us be careful not to indulge in any scientific populism on such sensitive issues, which require a very rational approach.
Obviously, there are shortcomings, but we Europeans are sometimes inclined to indulge in too much self-criticism.
Well, as you can see, we're a poor family and so common sense would tell us not to indulge in the luxury of a maid!
He said not to indulge her.
You are not to indulge these requests.
You are not to indulge these requests.
Like a diet of the mind, I choose not to indulge certain appetites.
Too intellectual to indulge in mundane things like love.
This necessary clarification must, however, not encourage patients to indulge in 'medical tourism'.
And you encouraged me to indulge in these delusions.
You had left the refreshment stand in order to indulge in your customary preemptive pre-show urination.
At this juncture one is inclined to indulge in historical and symbolic reminiscences.
However, the solution is not to indulge the production companies more, but to really shift benefits from them to artists and performers.
I would hazard that the entire consistory has been known at times to indulge in its sweet tooth.
I would hazard that the entire consistory has been known at times to indulge in its sweet tooth.
A lack of customers should not be seen as an opportunity to indulge in idle chit-chat.
Next time you feel the need to indulge in one of your strange religious frolics, do so somewhere more private.

Alternatives:

the government was warned to not indulge in too much borrowing this year.

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The government was warned to not indulge in too much borrowing this year. vs The government was warned not to indulge in too much borrowing this year.