My Reading & Listening

In the August 28, 2005 issue of the Boston Sunday Globe, Page E19, a director of Webster University seemed to be defending her school against charges that their courses are too easy. She stated "Everyone doesn't make an A in the class." This is that same as saying "Nobody makes an A in the class." Was this really what she intended to say? I don't think so.

There is a difference between "Not everyone makes an A in the class" and "Everyone doesn't make an A in the class." The placement of the negation is crucial. When students get to higher mathematics, confusion with quantifiers becomes a real problem. Sloppy usage in the general public doesn't help.

Summary

• The negation of "Everyone is ..." is "Not everyone is ..." or "Some individuals are not..."
  
• The negation of "Someone is ..." is "Everyone is not ..."
  

I had to read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time after I heard the Fresh Air interview of Mark Haddon, the author. In it, he compared Christopher's behaviour in the book with a composite of Math departments he is familiar with. He is absolutely correct! I really enjoyed this one.