syntac and semantics general

[merosj]

Are these different?
She decided not to buy the car.
She didn't decide to buy the car.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes they are.

In the first, she made definite decision against buying the car.
In the second, she didn't decide to buy it, but there is nothing in that sentence that tells us she decided not to buy it. She may still be thinking about it.

 

[5jj]

In the temporary absence of the 'like' facility, I say that I agree with Mike.