Avoiding Double Negatives

Negatives

A word that means "no" is called a negative.

• No

• Not

• Nothing

• None

• Never

• Nowhere

• Nobody/no one

Contractions with "not" are also negatives:

• don't

• wasn't

• aren't

• hasn't

• can't

An important grammar rule: Don't use two negatives in the same sentence when writing. This is called a DOUBLE NEGATIVE.

• WRONG: Don't never talk during a movie.

• RIGHT: Don't talk during a movie.

• RIGHT: Never talk during a movie.

• RIGHT: Don't ever talk during a movie.

Watch the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGY_KOccR5A

Multiple Choice

Find the negative word: "Don't interrupt a speaker."

• don't

• interrupt

• speaker

Multiple Choice

Find the negative word: "There is no reason to be cruel to another person."

• there

• no

• reason

• cruel

Multiple Choice

Find the negative word: "Booing another team doesn't show good sportsmanship."

• booing

• team

• doesn't

• sportsmanship

Multiple Choice

Find the negative word: "It's difficult, but try not to call out in class!"

• difficult

• not

• call

• class

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

Mary and I have (no, any) plans for the weekend.

• no

• any

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

Since she's a baby, Abby hasn't (never, ever) seen snow!

• never

• ever

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

Because he gets scared easily, my baby brother goes (anywhere, nowhere) without his favorite stuffed animal.

• anywhere

• nowhere

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

I can't think of (anything, nothing) better than Book Fair Week at school!

• anything

• nothing

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

I have (ever, never) been to Disneyland!

• ever

• never

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

Mrs. Guthrie never goes (anywhere, nowhere) without a book.

• anywhere

• nowhere

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

When it's a hot day and you're thirsty, (anything, nothing) can beat a glass of cold water!

• anything

• nothing

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

There isn't (nobody, anybody) who can fly.

• nobody

• anybody

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

Don't reach for (anything, nothing) over someone else's plate!

• anything

• nothing

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

(Anyone, No one) disturbed the quiet of the empty classroom.

• anyone

• no one

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

I searched and searched, but my lost keys were (anywhere, nowhere) to be found.

• anywhere

• nowhere

Multiple Choice

Pick the word that correctly completes the sentence. Remember to avoid double negatives!

There isn't (no one, anyone) in the kitchen.

• no one

• anyone