Not in participle clauses | The Grammar Exchange

Hello, Everyone! Could you help me with a couple of sentences:

Not having used the software before, she had to ask for help. The textbook didn't provide such an option but is it possible: Having not used the software before, she had to ask for help.

Having not attended any of the lectures, the student failed the end-of-term exams. That's what the textbook says. But can we say: Not having attended any of the lectures, the student failed the end-of-term exams.

What does the position of not depend on? Emphasis?

Thank you in advance.

6/22/222:14 AM

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ahmed_btmMember

Hi, Annetik,

@Annetik posted:
Hello, Everyone! Could you help me with a couple of sentences:
Not having used the software before, she had to ask for help. The textbook didn't provide such an option but is it possible: Having not used the software before, she had to ask for help.
Having not attended any of the lectures, the student failed the end-of-term exams. That's what the textbook says. But can we say: Not having attended any of the lectures, the student failed the end-of-term exams.
What does the position of not depend on? Emphasis?
Thank you in advance.

Both are correct. David indicates that both are possible. See here:

https://thegrammarexchange.inf...aving-not-not-having

Personally, I prefer 'not having' because it sounds more natural and that's the way we use in our exams. The emphasis here is on 'not'.

Andry DavisMember

Completely agree with you! Emphasis on "Not", sounds more correct.

10/23/223:47 AM

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