3

I've just learned a very basic way of shortening sentences:

He likes tea (positive), but she doesn't (short negative).

I haven't got a car (negative), but my sister has (short positive).

But, what about:

She doesn't like coffee (negative), but I do (short positive).

According to google results this seems not very usual. Only got 6 results for the search phrase "doesn't like coffee, but I do".

I am wondering, is the sentence above correct? or shall I have to say:

She doesn't like coffee, but I like. (?)

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Note that "likes coffee, but I don't" has only 13 results. So, it may be because of coffee. :-)
    – Damkerng T.
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 16:29
  • Yes, well seen:)
    – viery365
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 16:30
  • 1
    A wildcard search yields better (or, at least more) results. I get hundreds of millions of hits for the quoted search string "* doesn't like * but I do", and nearly as many for "* doesn't like it but I do".
    – Gary Botnovcan
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 17:09

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

The Google search engine wasn't designed to teach you English. And English is a language with a lot of flexibility. It's likely that someone's made the same statement as you, but phrased differently. If you've learned proper grammar rules (which it seems that you have, because your initial constructions are correct), don't question them when a robot tells you nobody says that.

She doesn't like coffee, but I like.

This isn't correct. Only the auxillary verb can be used in the shortened part of the sentence, as you've already done in your other examples. The verbs "have" and "do" are both intransitive, so they can be used in this way. Like is not an intransitive verb.

Improve this answer
3
  • Thank you for your answer. Google wasn't designed to teach English but it can help. If a well-structured sentence, involving coffee which is one of the most used products in the world has only 6 results, I have some reasons to wonder. But I understand your point and I will pay attention to not base my questions on Google results. Thank you!
    – viery365
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 16:42
  • 1
    @viery365 I see your point. have you tried "father hates grandfather"? it's perfect in grammar but has 3 results.. see? ;)
    – technophyle
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 17:36
  • Yes, that's is amazing:) I've checked, and yes, 3 results:)
    – viery365
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 18:14
3

Don't bother too much about the Google search results.

There is nothing wrong with your example and you can use it perfectly anywhere.

If you still think you need to change it, add it at the end of the sentence.

She doesn't like coffee, but I like it.

Improve this answer
1
  • You are most welcome.
    – technophyle
    Commented Sep 11, 2015 at 16:41

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .