Change the sentences according to the direction given in brackets:

Not all the members were present.

The original sentence, "All the members were not present," is grammatically ambiguous and often considered unidiomatic in standard English. It attempts to express a partial negation, implying that some members were present, but not every single one of them.

To clearly and idiomatically express a partial negation, the word "not" should typically precede "all" or "every." Therefore, "Not all the members were present" is the most straightforward and grammatically preferred way to convey that only some of the members were absent.

If the intended meaning was a complete negation—that is, absolutely zero members were present—the correct phrasing would be different:

    
• None of the members were present.
    
• No members were present.

Understanding and applying such nuances in negation is important for clear and precise communication, particularly in professional contexts relevant to job seekers.

Where there is no smoke, there is no fire.

Man is not immortal.

Everybody wants to be rich. ( Interrogative)

= Who does not want to be rich ?

This is the wiser plan of the two. ( superlative)

= This is the wisest plan of the two.