Avoiding Double Negatives

A negative is a word that makes a sentence mean “no.” The words no, no one, nobody, none, nothing, nowhere, and never are negatives. The word not and contractions with not are also negatives. Using two negatives together is called a double negative. Never use two negatives together in a sentence. Which of the following is a double negative?

• I won't never go.
• I will never go.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

Which of the following is a double negative?

• It was nowhere.
• It wasn't nowhere

Which of the following is a double negative?

• Nobody has nothing to do.
• Nobody has anything to do.

Why doesn’t (nobody, somebody) make some lunch?

• nobody
• somebody

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

I can’t find the sugar (anywhere, nowhere).

• anywhere
• nowhere

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

There (are, aren’t) no clean plates for lunch.

• are
• aren't

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

I won’t have (anything, nothing) but water with my lunch.

• anything
• nothing

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

I don’t know (anyone, no one) who doesn’t enjoy cake.

• no one
• anyone

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

There weren’t (any, no) napkins on the table.

• no
• any

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

She (would, wouldn’t) never put sharp knives on the table.

• would
• wouldn't

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B