Transferred negation

Transferred negation

Transferred negation refers to the shift of negation from the subordinate clause (usually a that clause), where it semantically belongs, to the main clause. It normally occurs with such verbs as think, believe, suppose, imagine and expect, that is, verbs that express “opinion”. For example:
I think that he won’t come tomorrow. / I don’t think that he'll come tomorrow.
I believe Mary hasn’t finished her work. / I don’t believe Mary has finished her work.
I imagine Tony won’t learn from this lesson. / I don't imagine Tony will learn from this lesson.