Don’t know nothing about DOUBLE-

NEGATIVES

A quick grammar lesson to help with SENTENCE CLARITY.

WHAT IS A DOUBLE-NEGATIVE?

WHAT IS A DOUBLE-NEGATIVE?

A double-negative occurs when a sentence has two negative words that cancel each other out and, as a result, causes confusion and creates a problem with the CLARITY of the sentence.

A double-negative occurs when a sentence has two negative words that cancel each other out and, as a result, causes confusion and creates a problem with the CLARITY of the sentence.

EXAMPLES OF DOUBLE-NEGATIVES

EXAMPLES OF DOUBLE-NEGATIVES

INCORRECT INCORRECT CORRECT

I want pizza.

I could hardly talk.

I don’t have any money.

She spent only two dollars.

CORRECT

I want pizza.

I could hardly talk.

I don’t have any money.

She spent only two dollars.

I don’t want no pizza.

I couldn’t hardly talk.

I don’t have no money.

She didn’t spend but two dollars.

Double-Negatives cause confusion…Double-Negatives cause confusion…

When you have two negative words in the same sentence, you actually end up saying the OPPOSITE of what you mean to say.

For example, if you say “I don’t have no money,” the DON’T and NO cancel each other out and become a POSITIVE. Therefore, the sentence “I don’t have no money” actually becomes a positive statement that means “I have money.”

When you have two negative words in the same sentence, you actually end up saying the OPPOSITE of what you mean to say.

For example, if you say “I don’t have no money,” the DON’T and NO cancel each other out and become a POSITIVE. Therefore, the sentence “I don’t have no money” actually becomes a positive statement that means “I have money.”

BE CLEAR WITH YOUR MEANING……

BE CLEAR WITH YOUR MEANING……

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

To avoid confusion and make your sentences 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 clause.

DOUBLE-NEGATIVES:RULE 2

2. 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.

DOUBLE-NEGATIVES:RULE 3

3. Words like barely, hardly, and scarcely have a negative sense and should not be used with another negative. In effect, this creates a double negative.

Incorrect: He couldn't hardly speak. Correct: He could hardly speak.

Incorrect: We were not barely able to see the stage.

Correct: We were barely able to see the stage.

Final Thoughts about Double Negatives…..Final Thoughts about Double Negatives…..

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.

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.

Now it’s time to practice.Rewrite each sentence below to help improve the

CLARITY of each sentence.

1. We don’t need no education.2. I can’t hardly stay awake.3. We don’t need none.4. She don’t want to go no where.5. I barely got no sleep last night.6. It was so hot that I couldn’t hardly breathe.7. I ain’t gonna take nothing from nobody.8. He didn’t want but one small kiss from her.

Here are the corrections….

1. We don’t need ANY education. OR 1. We need NO education.

2. I can’t stay awake. OR 2. I can hardly stay awake.

3. We don’t need ANY. OR 3. We need NONE.

More corrections….. 4. She doesn’t want to go ANY where. OR She wants to go no where.

5. I barely got ANY sleep last night. OR I got no sleep last night.

6. It was so hot that I couldn’t breathe. OR It was so hot that I could hardly breathe.

And finally………

7. I am not going to take ANYTHING from ANYBODY.

8. He wanted one small kiss from her.