Double Negatives
In short: Use one negative per idea: “I don’t need any help,” not “I don’t need no help.”
In English, using two negatives doesn’t usually make a positive—it just sounds incorrect. For example, “I don’t need no help” is grammatically wrong (though used in some dialects). Standard English would say, “I don’t need any help.” In math, two negatives cancel out. But in English, they confuse the meaning!
How to use it
After a negative verb (don’t, can’t, didn’t, won’t), use “any,” “anything,” “anyone” or “ever” instead of “no,” “nothing,” “no one” or “never.” You’ll still hear double negatives in songs, films and some dialects, where they add emphasis, but in school, work and writing they sound wrong.
Examples
- I don’t need any help. (not: I don’t need no help)
- She didn’t say anything. (not: She didn’t say nothing)
- We can’t find anyone. (not: We can’t find no one)
A common mistake
Watch out for “never” and “nothing” after “don’t” and “didn’t.” Say I didn’t see anything or I saw nothing, but not both negatives together.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Grammarly