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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

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

he is not to be vs she is not to be not to be vs to be not cannot be considered as a vs cannot be considered to be seem not to be vs does not seem to be

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