How To Avoid Double Negatives & Double Positives

Jitesh Jalthuria

MBT Prev.

Roll No. 1299

Key Learning: Using appropriate grammar in writing and speaking is essential for effective communication.

• Good grammar helps the reader/listener to understand easily.• It helps to lessen confusion and creates a great impression on person.

In addition of grammar, there are few points which should also be entertained.

• Know your goal and state it clearly.

• Always explain in clear terms.

• Language needs to be simple.

• Less is more when it comes to length.

• Don’t make silly grammatical mistakes like affect/effect, then/than, there/their etc.

Double-Negatives

I’ve not never used a double-negative before!

What Is a Double-Negative?

A double-negative occurs when you put two negative words together in the same sentence. You actually end up saying the OPPOSITE of what you meant to say.

ExamplesIncorrect Correct

•I don’t want no pizza.

•I couldn’t hardly talk.

•I don’t have no money.

•I want pizza.

•I could hardly talk.

•I don’t have any money.

What Are Some Negative Words?

• no

• barely

• only

• nobody

• nothing

• not

• but (meaning only)

• never

• hardly

• none• no one

• neither

• n’t

… And a Few Positive Words?

• any

• could

• can

• only

• anything

• anywhere

• was

Be Careful With Your Meaning

To avoid confusion and make your sentence as clear as possible, AVOID USING DOUBLE NEGATIVES in your sentences.

Here Are Some Rules To Keep In Mind

1. Double Negatives are nonstandard. Avoid two negative words in the same sentence.

Rule 22. Do not use but in a negative sense with another negative.

•Incorrect: He didn’t want but one good grade.•Correct: He wanted but one good grade.

•Correct: He wanted only one good grade.

Rule 33. Words like barely, hardly have a negative sense and should not be used with another negative.

Incorrect: He Couldn’t hardly speak.

Correct: He could hardly speak.

Final Thoughts…..Just remember that using double negatives in your sentences creates confusion and messes up the CLARITY of your intended meaning. Therefore, AVOID using double negatives in your writing. Also, know how to correct double negatives when you see them.

What About Triple Negative??

•They are quite rare

•E.g. I cannot say that I do not disagree with you.(This quote by Groucho Marx is a triple negative. If you follow it through logically, you'll find it means I disagree with you. Genius!)

Double- Positive

I’m absolutely sure about that.

• In grammar, two positives always makes a positive but in case if they make a negative, it’s all just because the tone of a speaker.

• Unlike double negative, double positive doesn’t cancel out each other and create a negative.

• They generally implies something doubly good or due to excitement.

Examples• I do go to work every day.

• Big massive piece of cheese.

• I’m absolutely sure about that.

• Yes Yes!! I will do it.

But yeah double positive sometimes indicate negative due to the tone only.

For E.g.

ConclusionDon’t use double negatives and double positives, they just reverse the meaning of words you want to convey.

Dhanywad