{"id":3102,"date":"2013-10-22T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2013-10-22T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=3102"},"modified":"2013-10-06T22:46:37","modified_gmt":"2013-10-07T02:46:37","slug":"double-negatives-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/double-negatives-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Double negatives in English"},"content":{"rendered":"

A double negative<\/em> is when there are two negative words (like \u2018no\u2019 and \u2018nothing\u2019) in one sentence. In some languages this type of grammar is allowed. In fact in some languages using two negatives intensifies the negative statement, but in English, double negatives are generally not allowed. In fact, in English using two negative words<\/strong> in one sentences cancels out<\/strong> the negative<\/strong> meaning and makes a positive<\/strong> statement! So, you have to be careful what you are saying when you are trying to make a negative statement in English. You only want to use one negative word in each sentence, otherwise you are creating a double negative.<\/p>\n

A double negative sentence construction in English is usually made by combining the negative form of a verb (like \u2018cannot\u2019 or \u2018did not\u2019), with a negative pronoun (like \u2018nothing\u2019 or \u2018nobody\u2019) or a negative adverb (like \u2018never\u2019), or a negative conjunction word (like \u2018neither\u2019 or \u2018nor\u2019) in one sentence.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples of double negative sentences in English. Remember these are sentences you shouldn\u2019t say!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. I didn’t<\/em> do nothing<\/em>.
\n2. He is not<\/em> unattractive<\/em>.
\n3. Paul didn\u2019t<\/em> buy it neither<\/em>.
\n4. It wasn’t<\/em> uninteresting<\/em>.
\n5. I haven’t<\/em> got no<\/em> money.<\/p>\n

Since in English two negatives make a positive this is what these sentences are really saying.
\n1. I did something.
\n2. He is attractive.
\n3. Paul bought it.
\n4. It was interesting.
\n5. I\u2019ve got money.<\/p>\n

But, here is what is probably meant by the original 5 sentences and how they can be said correctly, without<\/em> using double negatives.<\/p>\n

1. I didn\u2019t do anything.
\n2. He is attractive. or He is unattractive.
\n3. Paul didn\u2019t buy it either.
\n4. It wasn\u2019t interesting. or It was uninteresting.
\n5. I haven\u2019t got any money.<\/p>\n

The take away from this post is to try not to use two negative words in one sentence in English<\/strong>. Even though people may understand what you say, you may not be saying what you what you think you are saying.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A double negative is when there are two negative words (like \u2018no\u2019 and \u2018nothing\u2019) in one sentence. In some languages this type of grammar is allowed. In fact in some languages using two negatives intensifies the negative statement, but in English, double negatives are generally not allowed. In fact, in English using two negative words…<\/p>\n

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