ANSWER: Double Negatives

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

Anonymous asks: What is a double negative.

With examples from X-Files


A double negative is when two negative words are used in a sentence. While it is acceptable in some instances to use a double negative, for the most part it just causes confusion because basically, one negative cancels the other.

In grammar context, negative verbs (cannot/can't, do not/don't, and have not/haven't) used alongside a negative pronoun (nothing, nobody), a negative adverb (hardly, barely or never), or a negative conjunction (neither, nor) are considered double negatives. When the negative verb is paired with another negative, the meaning turns on itself, becoming a positive statement.

Consider the following:

"I don't want nothing," the man said as he glared at Mulder.

"I can't hardly wait for tomorrow's headlines," Mulder said with enthusiasm.

Although the first example is understandable to most of us, it is still wrong in the literal sense. "I don't want nothing" literally means he does not want nothing, he wants something. The correct way to state what the man really wants is to write, "I don't want anything."

And in the second example, "I can't hardly wait for tomorrow's headlines," Mulder is saying that he really doesn't care whether he sees the headlines, which contradicts the enthusiastic way he spoke the words. The correct way for Mulder to state his desire is to write, "I can hardly wait for tomorrow's headlines," or "I can't wait for tomorrow's headlines."

With all that said, there are a few instances when using double negatives are acceptable. They are great for avoiding saying something outright.

"It's not inconceivable," Mulder said.

"Nor is it unacceptable," Scully replied.

Writing dialogue can be tricky, as we tend to want to use the jargon that our characters would use. Many people use double negatives on a daily basis. It would be out of character for them not to speak in the way they are used to speaking. As in my first example, the character would definitely say he "didn't do nothing" because it's the way he talks. But for the most part, it's better to use words that others can relate to. Just remember that two negatives equal a positive and you will be all set.

Comments

[lady-lirenel.livejournal.com]

Good explanation. I've always thought it interesting that, in at least the 'regular' English grammar, double negatives are perceived as creating a positive, while in other languages and some dialects of English a double negative further emphasizes the negativity of the sentence. I wonder why that happened.

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

Thanks!! I saw that referenced while I was researching this topic, but the reference didn't go into great detail other than to tell me that double negatives are perceived as creating a positive in other languages. :) It is intriguing, but I stuck with how double negatives work in the broadest sense of English to keep things simple.

But you know, I'm still intrigued...

[lady-lirenel.livejournal.com]

I only know Latin and ancient Greek, but basically if you use two types of negatives it just makes it more negative. The more negative words used, the more negative the connotation. Makes sense, I suppose.

[lmichelle599.livejournal.com]

But if you live in the South, you hear can't hardly on a regular basis. ;) I know it's wrong and might have use it before myself, but need to refrain from that.

Love the icon, btw.

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

I know! My step-mother (who was from Kentucky) had a favorite saying that she used all the time when dealing with a bunch of fighting kids, "I can't hardly stand it!" Hee! I meant to include that and forgot. And yeah, I still tend to use that phrase a lot too. *blush* But this just goes to show that it would be okay to use it in dialogue when writing a story. My mama said so. :)

I really like that icon too. I keep saying that I'm going to make a new one, but this one works, so I'll keep it. It's snatchable, by the way!

Thanks!!

[campylobacter.livejournal.com]

X-Files examples FTW!!!

For some reason, I thought it was called "word doubling", but that's just my cruddy memory playing tricks on me. Oh, this is gonna drive me crazy until I find the term!

Reduplication (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduplication) refers to repeating the same word or morpheme in order to emphasize meaning or build a new word. Like saying pianissimo in Italian to refer to low sound volume, then pianississimo to mean really low sound volume.

I wonder if the nullifying effect of two negatives arose after people started to apply quantitative principles to language? It makes sense in mathematical logic, but is nonintuitive in oral usage.