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Prajwalkr Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Two negatives
Hi
If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?
1. I don't think I won't do it.
I can rephrase it as:
I think I will do it. OK?
Is this usually / always the case with double negatives? Do you have some examples where this is not the case?
Last question: Will double negatives create grammatical problems?
Prajwal
If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?
1. I don't think I won't do it.
I can rephrase it as:
I think I will do it. OK?
Is this usually / always the case with double negatives? Do you have some examples where this is not the case?
Last question: Will double negatives create grammatical problems?
Prajwal
Top answer
If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always? Double negatives don't always give a positive meaning. To me, your first sentence seems to be giving a weak positive meaning.
- If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?
- Double negatives don't always give a positive meaning.
- To me, your first sentence seems to be giving a weak positive meaning.
- Is this usually / always the case with double negatives?
- Do you have some examples where this is not the case?
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8 Answers
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If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?
Double negatives don't always give a positive meaning. To me, your first sentence seems to be giving a weak positive meaning.
Is this usually / always the case with double negatives? Do you have some examples where this is not the case?
Double negatives are often used for emphasis. When
Double negatives don't always give a positive meaning. To me, your first sentence seems to be giving a weak positive meaning.
Is this usually / always the case with double negatives? Do you have some examples where this is not the case?
Double negatives are often used for emphasis. When
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Thanks for your reply, Edward. As you said, I would wait for a veteran member, a native speaker to put forward their views.
Prajwal
Prajwal
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Logically speaking, a double negative is a positive. However, double negatives are relatively frequently used (in speech, rarely in writing) to emphasize the negative. It's impossible to say what the intended meaning is absent context.
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Edward and CSnyder have given good answers.
This native speaker has nothing to add.
Rover
This native speaker has nothing to add.
Rover
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I would try to avoid double negatives as it could easily confuse the listener.
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AnonymousI would try to avoid double negatives as it could easily confuse the listener.I don't disagree with that
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prajwalkrIf there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?No. It sometimes gives nonsense.
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Hi,
If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?
If there are two negatives in a sentence, will it give a positive meaning always?
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