The Correct Use of Double Negatives in English

As I listen to my Israeli friends speaking English, I hear a common mistake that they all make, specifically the misuse of English double negatives.

The English language is full of subtle rules and stylistic choices, and few are as debated or misunderstood as the double negative. Once a common feature of Old and Middle English, it’s now a stylistic marker that is both powerful and problematic. So, what exactly is a double negative, and how is it used correctly?

What Are English Double Negatives?

English double negatives occur when two negative words are used in the same sentence to express a single negative idea. When you use them, you are making a grammatical error because two negatives cancel each other out, creating a positive statement.

When you say, I don't have no money, the words don't and no cancel each other out, which makes the meaning of the sentence to be I do have money.

Avoid using English double negatives because they confuse your meaning and frankly, make you sound stupid!

Instead of saying I didn't see nobody at the store say I saw nobody at the store. Instead of saying She can't hardly speak say She can hardly speak, and instead of saying We don't have no time say We have no time.

When Are English Double Negatives Used ?

While grammatically incorrect in a formal sense, double negatives are not wrong in every context. They are still used for specific stylistic effects. For example:

For Emphasis in Informal Speech ~ In many non-standard dialects, particularly African American Vernacular English, double negatives are a key feature used for emphasis. The intent is not to cancel out the negative, but to intensify it as in you ain't never seen nothing like this!

In Lyrics and Poetry ~ Artists often use double negatives to evoke a certain tone, create a feeling of defiance, or reflect a particular cultural or dialectal voice. The rules of formal grammar are often bent for creative purposes. For example I can't get no satisfaction - The Rolling Stones, and We don't need no education - Pink Floyd.

For an Understated Positive ~ This is a more subtle and less common use. By using a double negative, a writer creates a less direct, softer positive statement. This is often seen in formal or literary contexts. for example, this is not an unreasonable request, meaning this is a reasonable request, and the results were not unexpected meaning the results were expected.

The key to using double negatives is to be aware of your purpose.

Don't use them in speech whenever possible, formal writing, business communications, or academic work.

Do use them when you are writing dialogue to authentically represent a character's speech, or in creative writing and music lyrics where a specific informal or emphatic tone is desired.

Understanding the rules of English grammar gives you the power to break them effectively. The double negative is a powerful example of how context means everything.

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