English Toolkit

<>

2.5Double negatives
TYPICAL ERROR I haven't done nothing wrong.
CORRECTION I haven't done anything wrong OR I have done nothing wrong

EXPLANATION Notice that in the uncorrected sentence there are two negative words, not and nothing. There is no need for the second negative word; in fact, the second negative word cancels the first negative word (not + no = yes). Hence, we should avoid using double negatives.

Rewrite these sentences without the double negatives.
aThey don't go to the movies.
bThe witness said that he didn't see enter the building.
cShe never told us about the match.
dThey didn't do wrong.
eWe never went near the place.
f
Success!