Double Negatives
Learn why using two negative words in one sentence is a common grammar mistake and how to correct it for clear and professional communication.
What Is a Double Negative?
A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same clause. In standard English, this is grammatically incorrect because the two negatives cancel each other out, often creating a positive meaning that is the opposite of what the speaker intended.
Incorrect
"I didn't eat nothing." (Logically means "I ate something.")
Correct
"I didn't eat anything."
Common Negative Words to Watch For
Using any two of these in the same clause can create a double negative.
nonotnevernothingnowhereneithernobodynonehardlyscarcelybarelyExamples of Double Negatives
| Incorrect (Double Negative) | Correct Version |
|---|---|
| "I don’t know nothing." | "I don’t know anything." |
| "She can’t hardly wait." | "She can hardly wait." |
| "We haven’t got no time." | "We haven’t got any time." |
| "They didn’t do nothing wrong." | "They didn’t do anything wrong." |
| "He never goes nowhere." | "He never goes anywhere." |
Double Negatives in Informal Speech
In some English dialects and informal contexts, double negatives are used for emphasis (e.g., "I can't get no satisfaction."). However, this is considered non-standard and should always be avoided in formal writing and professional communication.
How to Avoid Double Negatives
- Learn and recognize common negative words.
- Use only one negative word in a clause to express a negative meaning.
- Replace the second negative word with a positive equivalent (e.g., "nothing" becomes "anything," "nobody" becomes "anybody").