[mesmark]

This phrase was brought to my attention. I wrote it and the receiver thought I made a mistake. Before I write back to explain it, I thought I'd get some opinions on it.

Which way sounds like you are more eager to help in your opinion?

1. I'll check my schedule and see if I can help.

2. I'll check my schedule and see if I can't help.

[susan53]

The second one is weird isn't it? It seems to say the opposite of what it means and yet it does actually seem to give a more positive tone to the sentence than the affirmative. It happens a lot after if/whether (ie the non-conditional use of if) - eg I wonder if/whether they wouldn't prefer Wednesday.

For me the affirmative leaves the question open : I'll see if I can help or not - It gives the idea that I don't know, or haven't decided. The answer may be yes or no.
I'll see if I can't help, on the other hand, implies that I want/intend to help as long as nothing unpredicted stops me.

[mesmark]

Susan - Thanks for the reply. That's pretty much what i was thinking but once a question comes up like that and I run it through my head too many times, I start to doubt myself and everything starts to sound strange.

Maybe I've been abroad too long

[susan53]

You think you've got problems ....

[dania]

Quote mesmark

Susan - Thanks for the reply. That's pretty much what i was thinking but once a question comes up like that and I run it through my head too many times, I start to doubt myself and everything starts to sound strange.

Maybe I've been abroad too long

Phew... At least I know I'm not alone. I have been in a French speaking community for so long that I am beginning to question myself on every little thing my students ask. I'll have to double check, then they don't believe me when I say, yes that is what I would naturally (or instinctively say). Then they say, Are you sure? But to tell you the truth, it's been so long that I had any significant or lengthy conversations with any in English on regular basis that I really begin to doubt myself.

I had even forgotten that we do indeed say: I'll see if I can't help.

Thanks to Susan for her excellent explanation!

Dania

[Ishiska]

Without hesitation, i'll say:
I'll see if I canhelp

[Sylvia]

To me the sentence 'i'll see if I can´t' help makes no sense at all.

[mesmark]

Quote Sylvia

To me the sentence 'i'll see if I can´t' help makes no sense at all.

I feel it means, I want to help and I'll check to see if there's any reason why I can't. Otherwise, I will.

IMO, it actually means you want to help more than 'Ill see if I can help.'