All three examples show the weakness inherent in the word not. Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is. Hence, as a rule, it is better to express even a negative in positive form. not honest »»»»» dishonest not important »»»»» trifling did not remember »»»»» forgot did not pay any attention to »»»»» ignored did not have much confidence in »»»»» distrusted
