Chapter 15

Two Negatives

The use of two negatives in a sentence is much more common than is generally supposed. To assume that only those who are grossly ignorant of grammatical rules and constructions employ them, is an error. Writers whose names are as bright stars in the constellation of literature have slipped on this treacherous ground.

A negation, in English, admits of only one negative word. The use of a single negative carries the meaning halfway around the circle. The meaning is therefore diametrically opposed to that which would be expressed without the negative. The use of a second negative would carry the meaning the remaining distance around the circle, thus bringing it to the starting point, and making it equivalent to the affirmative. The second negative destroys the effect of the first. The two negatives are equivalent to an affirmative.

Double Negatives

While two negatives in the same sentence destroy each other, a double negative has the effect of a more exact and guarded affirmative; as, “It is _not im_probable that Congress will convene in special session before the end of the summer.” “It is _not un_important that, he attend to the matter at once.” “His story was _not in_credible.” “The fund was _not in_exhaustible.”

Redundant Negatives

_“No_ one _else_ but the workmen had any business at the meeting.” Omit _else._

“Let us see whether _or not_ there was _not_ a mistake in the record.” Omit either _or not_ or the second _not._

“The boat will _not_ stop _only_ when the signal flag is raised.” Omit _not_ or change _only_ to _except._

“He will _never_ return, I _don’t believe.”_ Say, “He will never return,” or, if that statement is two emphatic, say, “I don’t believe he will ever return.”

Don’t want none

“I _don’t want none,” “_I _ain’t got nothing,” “_He _can’t do no more,”_ are inelegant expressions that convey a meaning opposed to that intended.

“I don’t want any,” or, “I do not want any,” or, “I want none,” are correct equivalents for the first sentence; “I haven’t anything,” or, “I have nothing,” should take the place of the second; and, “He can’t do any more,” or, “He can do no more,” or “He cannot do more,” will serve for the third.

Not—Hardly

“I _cannot_ stop to tell you _hardly_ any of the adventures that befell Theseus.” Change _cannot_ to _can_. “I have _not _had a moment’s time to read _hardly_ since I left school.” Say, “I have hardly a moment’s time,” etc.

No—no

“The faculties are called into _no_ exercise by doing a thing merely because others do it, _no_ more than by believing a thing only because others believe it,” says George P. Marsh. He should have used _any _instead of the second _no._

Nothing—nor

“There was _nothing_ at the Columbian Exposition more beautiful, _nor_ more suggestive of the progress of American art, than Tiffany’s display.” Change _nor_ to _or._

Can’t do nothing

“He says he _can’t do nothing_ for me.” Use “He can do nothing,” or “He can’t do anything for me.”

Cannot by no means

This double negative should be avoided. “I _cannot by no means _permit you to go.” Say, “I _cannot possibly,”_ or “I _cannot, under any consideration,_ permit you to go.”

Nor—no

“Give not me counsel, _nor_ let _no_ comforter delight mine ear,” says Shakespeare.

“There can be no rules laid down, _nor no_ manner recommended,” says Sheridan.

“No skill could obviate, _nor no_ remedy dispel the terrible infection.”

The foregoing sentences may be corrected by changing _nor_ to _and._

Not—no

“I pray you bear with me; I _cannot_ go _no_ further,” says Shakespeare. “I can go _no_ further,” or “I cannot go _any_ further,” will make the sentence correct.

Nor—not

“I never did repent for doing good, _nor_ shall _not_ now.”

“We need not, _nor_ do _not,_ confine the purposes of God.”

“Which do not continue, _nor_ are _not_ binding.”

“For my part I love him _not, nor_ hate him _not.”_

In these sentences, change _nor_ to _and._