This document discusses avoiding double negatives and double positives in writing. It provides examples of double negatives and how to correct them by removing one of the negative words. Some key points: - Using good grammar helps communication by making meaning clear. Double negatives confuse meaning by negating the negative. - Double negatives occur when two negative words are used in the same sentence, like "I don't want no pizza." Removing one negative fixes it. - Some words have inherent negative meanings and should not be used with other negatives, like "hardly." - Double positives do not normally reverse meaning but can in certain contexts or tones. - The document recommends avoiding double negatives and double positives to enhance clarity

1. How To Avoid Double
Negatives & Double Positives
Jitesh Jalthuria
MBT Prev.
Roll No. 1299

2. Key Learning:
Using appropriate grammar in writing and speaking is
essential for effective communication.
• Good grammar helps the reader/listener
to understand easily.
• It helps to lessen confusion and creates a
great impression on person.

3. In addition of grammar, there are few points
which should also be entertained.
• Know your goal and state it clearly.
• Always explain in clear terms.
• Language needs to be simple.
• Less is more when it comes to length.
• Don’t make silly grammatical mistakes
like affect/effect, then/than, there/their etc.

4. Double-
Negatives
I’ve not never used a
double-negative before!

5. What Is a Double-Negative?
A double-negative occurs when
you put two negative words
together in the same sentence. You
actually end up saying the
OPPOSITE of what you meant to
say.

7. Examples
Incorrect Correct
•I don’t want no pizza.
•I couldn’t hardly talk.
•I don’t have no
money.
•I want pizza.
•I could hardly talk.
•I don’t have any
money.

8. What Are Some Negative
Words?
• no
• barely
• only
• nobody
• nothing
• not
• but (meaning only)
• never
• hardly
• none
• no one
• neither
• n’t

9. … And a Few Positive
Words?
• any
• could
• can
• only
• anything
• anywhere
• was

10. Be Careful With Your
Meaning
To avoid confusion and make your
sentence as clear as possible, AVOID
USING DOUBLE NEGATIVES in your
sentences.

11. Here Are Some Rules To
Keep In Mind
1. Double
Negatives are
nonstandard.
Avoid two
negative words in
the same
sentence.

12. Rule 2
2. Do not use but in a
negative sense with
another negative.
•Incorrect: He didn’t
want but one good
grade.
•Correct: He wanted
but one good grade.
•Correct: He wanted
only one good grade.

13. Rule 3
3. Words like barely, hardly
have a negative sense and
should not be used with
another negative.
Incorrect: He Couldn’t
hardly speak.
Correct: He could hardly
speak.

14. Final Thoughts…..
Just remember that using
double negatives in your
sentences creates confusion
and messes up the CLARITY
of your intended meaning.
Therefore, AVOID using
double negatives in your
writing. Also, know how to
correct double negatives
when you see them.

15. What About Triple
Negative??
•They are quite rare
•E.g. I cannot say that I do not disagree
with you.
(This quote by Groucho Marx is a triple
negative. If you follow it through logically,
you'll find it means I disagree with you. Genius!)

16. Double-
Positive
I’m absolutely sure
about that.

17. • In grammar, two positives always makes
a positive but in case if they make a
negative, it’s all just because the tone of a
speaker.
• Unlike double negative, double positive
doesn’t cancel out each other and create a
negative.
• They generally implies something
doubly good or due to excitement.

18. Examples
• I do go to work every day.
• Big massive piece of cheese.
• I’m absolutely sure about that.
• Yes Yes!! I will do it.

19. But yeah double positive sometimes
indicate negative due to the tone only.
For E.g.

20. Conclusion
Don’t use double negatives and double
positives, they just reverse the meaning of
words you want to convey.

21. Dhanywad 