Questions tagged [double-negation]

For questions about statements containing more than one negative element, usually in a way to negate the predicate more than once.

This tag is for questions about statements that contain multiple negative elements, such as I didn’t say nothing or I didn’t not say a word. This is not to be confused with .

Consider the question checklist if your question fits the tag. You can also look at the example questions. If this tag doesn't fit your question have a look below at somehow related tags that might fit your question better.

Question checklist

  • Does the question contain a double-negative expression?
  • Does the question clearly describe the concern regarding the meaning or application of the negation?

Example questions

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122 questions
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Is there a rule about double negations that aren't meant as double negations (e.g. "We don't need no education")?

How can you explain that this double negation is not a double negation? Is there a rule in English about this kind of sentence? PS / Do I have to mention Pink Floyd Copyright ? :-) Edit : Since there are a lot of Pink Floyd related explanation, I'll…
Rabskatran
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18
votes
4 answers

Jane Austen's use of a double negative in 'Pride & Prejudice' (Chapter 28)

Jane Austen once said: When Mr. Collins said any thing of which his wife might reasonably be ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, she involuntarily turned her eye on Charlotte. Now readers of the book will know Mr Collins is pretty shameless…
jrrk
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11
votes
6 answers

Are double negatives ever appropriate in English?

I have heard several sentences in which there was a prominent double negative, but the double negative "sounded right". Is this ever true, or is it just a misleading feeling? Edited to include an example: "Did you enjoy the movie?" "Well, I didn't…
Daniel
  • 57,547
8
votes
6 answers

What constitutes a double negative?

Is "not unpleasant" a double negative, and hence bad grammar? See the first answer (by Ham and Bacon) to this question, for the basis of this question: "Did you enjoy the movie?" "Well, I didn't not enjoy it, but..." Are all "not un..." forms…
Daniel
  • 57,547
7
votes
3 answers

"John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt [is]/[isn't]"

Given the two separate facts: John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt is an interesting name. which of the following statements is correct: A - "John Doe is an uninteresting name. Usain Bolt is" or B - "John Doe is an uninteresting name.…
7
votes
2 answers

Is "cannot not say" standard English?

Is "cannot not say" standard English? In context, I would like to know whether "I cannot not say precisely what attracted them to the part of Giuliette" is grammatical. Also, does the phrase "cannot not say" interfere with the double-negation story?…
5
votes
4 answers

Are these double negatives? "No it is not. No I don't think so."

A double negative is generally defined as two negative words in the same clause. In these examples: "No it is not." "No I don't think so." is "No" considered a clause unto itself? Or is it in the same clause as the rest of the sentence, thus…
3
votes
2 answers

Double negative in "...the most dangerous threat was not not getting..."

I created this sentence: For your ancestors, the most dangerous threat to survival was not not getting the social vibe of your group. I am confused because, as grammar websites say, double negatives create a positive one. So this means that "For…
ikigai20
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2
votes
3 answers

Double Negative?

Does this sentence suffer from double negation: "The results of this study will not, we do not think, shock economists."
2
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1 answer

Is 'Do not be negative' double negation?

Is it correct, if I say, "John, do not be negative". I don't mean to say, "John, be positive". I mean he just shouldn't be negative, not necessarily positive. I'm using 'negative' as an adverb to qualify how John should be. Such as "John do not walk…
2
votes
3 answers

Is there a misnegation in the following example?

I have a question about an excerpt that I read online. Here it is: Having reviewed the posts that you have identified, I conclude that you do not have any non-frivolous defamation against any of the posters. My doubt is related to the second…
clau
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1
vote
0 answers

Is there a right and wrong way to use double negatives?

Somewhat related to How can double negatives "has a respectable history as a rhetorical device for emphasis" when they're harder to understand? I am noticing that that there is an increase in use of double negatives in speech. "I didn't say nothing"…
Chris Rogers
  • 1,036
1
vote
2 answers

Is "Not X is Not Required" an example of a double negative?

Well, obviously there are two negatives in the sentence. But, at least I am of the opinion that it can't be contracted into a positive- "Not X is Not Required" means a very different thing to "X is Not Required", but I would like to know what…
LJSmith
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vote
2 answers

Double Negative - How to read?

There is no chance the email you recieved isn't a scam. How to interpret this sentence? If I attempt to remove the double negative, it doesn’t make much sense to me at all. There is a chance the email you received is a spam? Is this a valid reading…
1
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1 answer

How to answer the question "Isn't it something I haven't watched?"

I would like to know how to respond clearly and correctly to the question "Isn't it something I haven't watched?" with an answer to the effect that the person hasn't watched it.
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