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to be or not to be vs to not be or to be

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. 'To be or not to be' is a famous quote from Shakespeare's play Hamlet, contemplating the choice between existence and non-existence. 'To not be or to be' is a less common construction that could imply a decision to avoid being or to exist.

Last updated: May 02, 2024 • 913 views

to be or not to be

This phrase is correct and widely recognized as a famous quote from Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

This phrase is used to express a contemplation of existence versus non-existence, often reflecting on life's choices and struggles.

Examples:

  • To be or not to be, that is the question.
  • Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer...
  • Or to take arms against a sea of troubles...
  • And by opposing end them?
  • To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end...

to not be or to be

This phrase is correct but less common, and its meaning may imply a decision to avoid being or to exist.

This phrase could be used to express a choice between non-existence and existence, with a focus on the decision to not be or to be.
  • The question was to be or not to be.
  • Whenever her silly husband was on-stage emoting, "To be or not to be" ...that was the signal for their backstage rendezvous.
  • To be or not to be Amish.
  • "To be or not to be".
  • The debate has echoes of Shakespeare: to be or not to be for Europe.
  • While others demurred, like Hamlet whingeingly soliloquising 'to be or not to be' at Elsinore, you had the path clearly marked out.
  • I've never heard you talk about anything else but to be or not to be.
  • To be or not to be... an interpreter
  • To be or not to be, that is the question.
  • To echo Hamlet, 'to be or not to be' is the dilemma we face with regard to energy security in the EU.
  • It was not clear whether it was to be or not to be.
  • To be or not to be, that is the question.
  • His favorite soliloquy is, "To be or not to be."
  • Thank you for, "To be or not to be."
  • "To be or not to be, this is the problem."
  • - Both: "To be or not to be."
  • People criticized me for cutting "To be or not to be."
  • "To be or not to be, that is the question."
  • One night he was fed up he stopped in the middle of "To be or not to be..."
  • "And l who took her to the river believing she was a maiden,"... "To be or not to be, that is the question" ... and so many others that he composed.

Related Comparisons

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