Poll: "I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't rain."

PLP

It depends on the intonation.

Red5

I think it means that I believe it will rain. ;-)

its3742

but it did rain, lol

John

What it means is, "I don't expect it to rain". However, it's intended meaning in common usage is, "I do expect it to rain".

jl

don't two negations equal a positive, therefore I expect it to rain. It would be great to be able to consult the correct answers. Is there any way of doing this?

ghiro

The word analysis means 'I expect it not to'; usage normally intends the opposite. Possibly influenced by romance (and other) languages' common usage of double negatives for emphasis...

altdel

The double negative applies to the word "surprise". Thus, it means I'd be surprised if it rains. Or, I don't expect it to rain.

anna

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll
/?p=1171

Alex Guiomar Nunes

Why did 60% of people answer "I don�t expect it to rain"?

Bob Vaughan

This means "I think it will rain" and is an example of "expletive negation". See http://www.glottopedia.org/index.php
/Expletive_negation