Double negatives

Question

Is this true that the two words with negative meanings always give rise to a positive statement?

I never hate anybody. ("never" is a kind of negatives here)
I do not never hate anybody. Assuming the preceding sentence is correct, is it equivalent to say "I hate anybody/everybody". (because "do not" and "never" are two negatives).

Please guide me. Thanks.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Jackson6612I never hate anybody.
I do not never hate anybody.
I hate anybody/everybody.Your logic is correct.
If you disregard the possiblity that "hate" may be considered a negative,
the first example is a single negative: You do not hate.

In the second example, you add a negative, creating a double negative, or equivalent positive: You do hate.
(You have changed the meaning.)

In the third example, you replace the two negative terms with the equivalent positive term: You do hate.

However, only the first example and 3b seem idiomatic.

I suspect that whether or not #2 & #3a are grammatical is argumentative.
"I hate anybody/everybody who disagrees with me" is fine, both grammatically and idiomatically.

Regards, - A.

Philip · Answer

AvangiIf you disregard the possiblity that "hate" may be considered a negative,

I see it as a negative in meaning rather than in grammar.

I love the old jingle about Sara Lee products: Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee = Everyone likes her.

Avangi · Answer

great points!  [Y]

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thank you, Avangi, Philip.

Double negatives

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