Top Pages
Home
A-Z Glossary
Punctuation
A-Z Confused Words
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
Get a grammar checker
for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
Get a grammar checker
for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
Double Negative
This Page Includes...
What Is a Double Negative? (with Examples)
A double negative occurs when two negative terms are used in the same sentence.Easy Examples of Double Negatives
- I ain't got no money.
- I didn't see nothing.
- I couldn't find it nowhere.
Real-Life Examples of Double Negatives
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).- My daughter Chantelle wouldn't shout at nobody. (A negative verb with the negative pronoun nobody)
- Chantelle didn't never call the teacher that word. (A negative verb (didn't call) with the negative adverb never)
- She did not have neither her address nor her phone number. (A negative verb with the negative conjunction neither/nor)
- Yeah, but, no, but there's this thing you don't know nuffin' about, so don't give me no evils. (Vicky Pollard) (A negative verb with the negative pronoun nuffin' [sic] and then a negative verb with the negative noun phrase no evils)

"The secret to being a likeable grammarian is knowing when to shut up."
What about a Triple Negative or a Double Positive?
You don't see triple negatives often, but here's a witty one:- I cannot say that I do not disagree with you. (Comedian Groucho Marx) (If you follow it through logically, you'll find it means "I disagree with you".)
Why Double Negatives Are Important
There are two good reasons to care about double negatives:(Reason 1) A double negative is usually a mistake.
A double negative that portrays a positive sense when a negative one is intended is a mistake. If it occurs in writing, it's a grammatical howler. If one occurs in speech, it can usually be dismissed as a slip of the tongue. (Well, one can. More than one can't.)- Russ didn't steal nothing. (Logically, this means Russ stole something. In reality, readers nearly always understand the intended meaning.)
(Reason 2) A double negative can provide a touch of diplomacy or subtlety.
With the following double negatives, the resultant positive meaning is intentional.- He is not unattractive.
- He is not unconvincing.
- He is not without charm.
"He is not unattractive" is subtler than "He is attractive." As these double-negative constructions sound more factual than complimentary or unkind, they can be useful when a touch of diplomacy or subtlety is required.
Key Points
- A double negative giving an unintended positive sense is an error.
- A double negative with an intended positive sense can be useful when a touch of diplomacy might not be unhelpful.
Printable and Sendable Test
Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Next lesson >