【问】 (a) He decided not to do it.

我认为这个句子是个病句，是否应改写为(b) He did not decide to do it.

【答】 这两个句子都是正确的。在句(a)中not所否定的并不是谓语动词decide，而是动词不定式to do it。而在句(b)中not所否定的则是谓语动词decide。因此这两个句子的意思是不同的。句(a)的意思是：他决定不做这件事(He decided that he would not do it.)。句(b)的意思则是：他没有决定做这件事(He did not decide that he would do it.)。由此可见，decide这个动词与一般的动词是有不同之处的。一般的动词大都通过否定谓语动词来否定其他成分，例如He didn’t come by bus.(他不是乘公共汽车来的。)pretend，like等动词在这方面与decide有相同之处。

请对比下列各句：

1. I have not yet decided where to spend my holidays.

我还没有决定在哪里度假。

2. She couldn't decide where to go. (Mis)

她没能定下来去哪儿。

3. She hasn't decided whether to sail or fly to America. (Eckersley)

她没定下来，是坐船还是坐飞机去美国。

4. He decided [made up his mind] not to do it. (Palmer)

他已决定不做这件事。

5. “The boy decided not to become a sailor.

那孩子决定将来不当水手。

请做下面的英语试题：

“Has Fred told anyone else about his dismissal?” “Yes，he decided________ . ”

A. it's not being kept secret B. not to keep it a secret

C.that it not be kept secret D. not to keep it secretly(TOEFL，73.3)