Double Negatives

A double negative contains two negative

words:He doesn't even know no

one. They don’t have nothing. But no one didn’t

answered.

Correcting Double Negatives

The clause I don't have none contains two negative words—the contraction don't (do not) and the adjective none.

If you don't have none, then you do have some. To express a negative idea, you should use only one negative word.

Remember: In addition to such negative

words as never, no, none, and not, the words scarcely, hardly, and barely function as negatives and should not be used with other negative words in the same clause

Incorrect He never cooks nothing exciting

for dinner.

Correct He never cooks anything exciting

for dinner.

Incorrect We can't hardly wait for a change

in the menu.

Correct We can hardly wait for a change

in the menu.

Words combined with n't (contracted form of not)

makes a negative word.

Give yourself a test. . They didn't have tickets.

(any, no)

. Our team hasn't won the league title. (never, ever)

Try these. He didn't bring of the food.

(any, none)

Haven't you been to a football game? (ever, never)

Always remember:

Don't use no double negatives. . .

Or maybe we should say,

Don’t use any double negatives!

Resources http://www.ecu.edu.au/ses/resear

ch/CALLR/AENG/what/rules/negative.htm

205.126.22.50/language/lessons/doublene g.html

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