Double negatives in English

Paul B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Double negatives in English

I don't think that double negatives are bad English, but they should be avoided if they create ambiguity and unnecessary complexity. But "He couldn't not talk to me" conveys different information from "He could talk to me."
This question relates to:French lesson "Combining two or more negations (French Negations)"
Asked 6 years ago
Like1Answer1
Share
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Paul,

I think calling the lesson you refer to as dealing with "double negatives" is misleading. What's being discussed are two negations but of different things. For example:

I never said anything. -- This is a negation of time (never) and object (anything) following each other. In this case, they don't cancel and are stylistically perfectly OK in English because they negate different things.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the lesson does NOT deal with double negatives.

-- Chris.

Like46 years ago
Share
Paul B. asked:View original

Double negatives in English

I don't think that double negatives are bad English, but they should be avoided if they create ambiguity and unnecessary complexity. But "He couldn't not talk to me" conveys different information from "He could talk to me."

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« Confusing pedagogy Frustrating - not able to progress due to too long a period between being able to take further quizes. »
Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...