Double Negatives
***The use of double negatives is frowned upon in formal settings, but double negatives are very
common in non-standard English and some other languages. As a matter of fact, some people
learning English have an issue with this rule because in their native tongue, you’re supposed to
use double negatives. And the weird thing is that in Old English, double negatives were also fine.
That just goes to show how strange English is. ***
A double negative occurs when two negative terms are used in the same sentence. The rules of
grammar dictate that the two negative terms cancel each other out to give a positive statement
instead. A double negative is usually created by combining the negative form of a verb (e.g.,
cannot, did not, have not) with a negative pronoun (e.g., nothing, nobody), a negative adverb
(e.g., never, hardly), or a negative conjunction (e.g., neither/nor). Double negatives are usually
mistakes on the speaker’s part, but the intended meaning is generally understood.
For example:
1. I don’t know nothing.
2. I ain’t never seen that.
3. I did not find the key neither on nor under the mat.
***Now, #1 literally means that I do know something, but most people would understand
that what I mean to say is that I don’t know anything. Class, what do you think #2 literally
means? And what do you think the intended meaning is? What do you think #3 literally
means? And what do you think the intended meaning is? ***
Double negatives are sometimes used to provide emphasis or to make a statement more subtle.
For example:
1. I wasn't unhappy with my grade.
***The literal meaning of this sentence is “I was happy with my grade”, but the intended
meaning is “I’m not upset, but I’m not excited either.” ***
2. I can’t not visit my mom.
***The literal meaning of this sentence is “I can visit my mom”, but the intended
meaning is “I must visit my mom.” ***
Double negatives are fixed by removing or replacing one of the negative terms. For example:
1. I don’t know anything
a. I know nothing.
2. I ain’t ever seen that
a. I have never seen that.
3. I did not find the key either on or under the mat
a. I found the key neither on nor under the mat.