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PreciousJones Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Didn't

What's the difference between:

I haven't even had to do nothing. And

I didn't even have to do nothing.

Thanks
  

Top answer

The difference is that the first one has a double-negative error in the present perfect tense and the second has a double-negative error in the past tense. In my opinion, the inclusion of 'even' is troublesome as well. After you correct the double-negatives by changing 'nothing' to 'anything', it's the same difference as for any pair of present perfect and past statments.

— CalifJim

  • The difference is that the first one has a double-negative error in the present perfect tense and the second has a double-negative error in the past tense.
  • In my opinion, the inclusion of 'even' is troublesome as well.
  • After you correct the double-negatives by changing 'nothing' to 'anything', it's the same difference as for any pair of present perfect and past statments.
  • Present perfect suggests "up to now".
  • Past suggests "only then".
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5 Answers
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The difference is that the first one has a double-negative error in the present perfect tense and the second has a double-negative error in the past tense. In my opinion, the inclusion of 'even' is troublesome as well.

After you correct the double-negatives by changing 'nothing' to 'anything', it's the same difference as for any pair of present perfect and past statments. Present perfec
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CalifJimThe difference is that the first one has a double-negative error in the present perfect tense and the second has a double-negative error in the past tense. In my opinion, the inclusion of 'even' is troublesome as well.

After you correct the double-negatives by changing 'nothing' to 'anything', it's the same difference as for any pair of present perfect a
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PreciousJonesBut in everyday speech I hear double negatives used all the time.
Really? Where do you live? Maybe it's something special to that region. It's not standard English, though. Double negatives are never considered correct in standard English.

CJ
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CalifJim
PreciousJonesBut in everyday speech I hear double negatives used all the time.
Really? Where do you live? Maybe it's something special to that region. It's not standard English, though. Double negatives are never considered correct in standard English.

CJ
I'm from Socal.

Take a look at this:
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I assume you mean Southern California.

I looked at the link, and I'm sorry to say that it's pure garbage. If you live in a language community that uses double negatives consistently, then by all means use them when speaking to people in that community so that you fit in, but for dealing with the public at large throughout the English-speaking world you'll have to speak and write without
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