Common mistake Double negative (e.g., 'not... nothing' instead of 'not... anything')
Common Mistake: Double Negative
Introduction
One common mistake that people often make in English grammar is the use of double negatives. Double negatives occur when two negative words or phrases are used in a single sentence, resulting in a positive meaning. This can lead to confusion and misunderstandings in communication.
Examples of Double Negatives
- "I didn't see nothing." (incorrect)
Corrected: "I didn't see anything." - "I can't find my keys nowhere." (incorrect)
Corrected: "I can't find my keys anywhere." - "I don't have nothing to wear." (incorrect)
Corrected: "I don't have anything to wear."
Why Double Negatives are Incorrect
In standard English grammar, a double negative is considered incorrect because it cancels out the negation, resulting in a positive meaning. The use of double negatives can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended message.
How to Correct Double Negatives
To correct a double negative, simply remove one of the negative elements from the sentence. Here are a few examples:
- "I can't find my keys nowhere." (incorrect)
Corrected: "I can't find my keys anywhere." - "I didn't see nothing." (incorrect)
Corrected: "I didn't see anything." - "I don't have nothing to wear." (incorrect)
Corrected: "I don't have anything to wear."
Using a Grammar Checker to Avoid Double Negatives
If you frequently make mistakes with double negatives, using a grammar checker like Linguix can be a helpful tool. Grammar checkers can identify and highlight double negatives in your writing, allowing you to correct them and improve the clarity of your language.
Double negative (e.g., 'not... nothing' instead of 'not... anything') mistake examples
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Incorrect:You shouldn't not do it!Correct:You shouldn't do it!
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Incorrect:You shouldn't have not done it!Correct:You shouldn't have done it!
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Incorrect:Nobody told me nothing.Correct:Nobody told me anything.
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Incorrect:I'm not speaking to nobody in this class.Correct:I'm not speaking to anybody in this class.
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Incorrect:I didn't notice nothing wrong.Correct:I didn't notice anything wrong.
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Incorrect:I didn't see nothing.Correct:I didn't see anything.
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Correct:I didn’t see anything.
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Correct:I couldn’t say no to Tom.
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Correct:I couldn’t accept no for an answer.
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Correct:I haven't said no yet.
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Correct:I'm not taking no for an answer.
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Correct:Tom didn't like not having enough money.
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Correct:I can't believe nobody came to your party.
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Correct:She did not mind not being allowed to cook.
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Correct:Those who possess nothing lose nothing.
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Correct:I can't believe nobody came to your party.
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Correct:They didn't die for nothing.
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Correct:If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong
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Correct:It doesn't matter if nobody comes.
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Incorrect:I don't have no idea.Correct:I have no|don't have any idea.
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Incorrect:I don't need no damn help.Correct:I need no|don't need any damn help.
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Incorrect:I can't show no emotion.Correct:I can show no|can't show any emotion.
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Incorrect:I cannot show no emotion.Correct:I can show no|cannot show any emotion.
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Incorrect:I do not have no idea.Correct:I have no|do not have any idea.
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Incorrect:I didn't have no idea.Correct:I had no|didn't have any idea.
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Incorrect:I did not have no idea.Correct:I had no|did not have any idea.
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Incorrect:I haven't done no harm.Correct:I have done no|haven't done any harm.
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Incorrect:I hadn't done no harm.Correct:I had done no|hadn't done any harm.
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Incorrect:I have not done no harm.Correct:I have done no|have not done any harm.
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Incorrect:I didn't see nothing.Correct:I didn't see anything.
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Incorrect:... but there wasn’t nobody in the office.Correct:... but there wasn’t anybody in the office.
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Correct:I didn't see nothing.
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Correct:I didn’t see anything.
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Correct:I couldn’t say no to Tom.
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Correct:I couldn’t accept no for an answer.
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Correct:I haven't said no yet.
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Correct:I'm not taking no for an answer.
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Correct:Tom didn't like not having enough money.
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Correct:I can't believe nobody came to your party.
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Correct:She did not mind not being allowed to cook.
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Correct:... but there wasn’t nobody in the office.
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Incorrect:You can't afford not to believe me.Correct:You can't afford to not believe me.
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Incorrect:I'm not saying not to be concerned.Correct:I'm not saying to not be concerned.
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Incorrect:There won't be nothing much, but please come by my house this evening.Correct:There won't be anything|be, nothing much, but please come by my house this evening.
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Incorrect:At JRTC where the Light Fighters (i.e. no armor assets organic to them) learn to play, we don't get no stinkin satellites.Correct:At JRTC where the Light Fighters (i.e. no armor assets organic to them) learn to play, we don't get any|get, no stinkin satellites.
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Correct:I can usually get the same device, from reputable vendors, not talking no name made in china versions, for 30% - 50% cheaper, and just control from Alexa.
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Correct:I know people with the achievement, so its not like no one has unlocked it.
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Correct:Since there was no defending Drivers' Champion in the field this season, defending Constructors' Champion Williams could not use No. 1 on either of its cars.
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Correct:Shortcuts to vulgar language does not constitute no swearing.
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Correct:I ain't got no kids.
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Incorrect:There wasn't nobody there.Correct:There wasn't anybody|, nobody there.
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Incorrect:There wasn't nowhere where we could find red chili paste.Correct:There wasn't anywhere|, nowhere where we could find red chili paste.
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Correct:As an example, i was looking into why my HSM100 wasn't working reading all the threads on it- there are a couple where people were complaining about how the device “only report motion” and not no motion.
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Correct:Shen Hui also states that true emptiness is not nothing, but it is a "Subtle Existence" (miao-yu), which is just "Great Prajña.
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Correct:i am not able to install terminal_plus package.every time i tried to install it got failed.i don't no why
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Correct:Harmonium debuted outside the top 20 on the US Billboard 200, and sales fell considerably short of those of Carlton's debut album, Be Not Nobody (2002).
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Correct:However, Hegel interprets not-A as not existing at all, not nothing at all, which cannot be conceived, but indeterminate or "pure" being without particularity or specificity.
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Correct:There ain't nobody there.
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Incorrect:Sorry, I don't have neither one.Correct:Sorry, I don't have either one.
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Incorrect:She couldn't hardly understand a word.Correct:She could hardly understand a word.
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Incorrect:She can't hardly understand a word.Correct:She can hardly understand a word.
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Correct:She can hardly speak.
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Incorrect:She could not hardly understand a word.Correct:She could hardly understand a word.
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Correct:She hasn't seen nobody.
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Correct:We have not heard nothing.
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Correct:I haven't said no yet.
