Negative Statements. Avoiding Double Negatives

(a) INCORRECT:I don't have no money.

(b) correct: I don't have any money. I have no money.

(a) is an example of a "double negative," i.e., a confusing and grammatically incorrect sentence that contains two negatives in the same clause. One clause should contain only one negative. Negatives in two different clauses in the same sentence cause no problems; for example: A person who doesn't have love can't be truly happy. I don't know why he isn't here.

EXERCISE 2.

A: Error analysis: double negatives. Correct the sentences, all of which contain double negatives.

1. I don't need no help. → I don't need any help. OR: I need no help.
2. I didn't see nobody.
3. I can't never understand him.
4. He doesn't like neither coffee nor tea.
5. I didn't do nothing.
6. I can't hardly hear the radio. Would you please turn it up?
7. The beach was deserted. We couldn't see nothing but sand.
8. Methods of horse training haven't barely changed at all in the last eight centuries.

B: Make your own incorrect sentences and let your partner correct them.

(English Grammar B.S. Azar Unit D: Negatives D1, D2).

EXERCISE 3. Put the words in the correct order (rearrange the words to make sentences).

Complete the chart below. Then make negative statements.

1. Train – at – midnight – arrives – this.
2. Every – business – month – goes – he – on – trips.
3. Takes – it – me – an – hour.
4. With – Laura – brother – her – water – garden – the – their – flowers – in.
5. Spaghetty – like – the – Chinese.
6. Facts – amazing – these – are.
7. We – for – can – hours – talk.
8. Racing – dangerous – can – car – be.

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY 1. Blind gapping. Opposite each point write a word you could associate with your partner or you. Your teacher will give you Sheet 2 to continue the activity.

Sheet 1.

1. adjective
2. adverb
3. verb in the infinitive form
4. uncountable noun
5. noun
6. noun in the plural form
7. parenthetical expression
8. verb in the infinitive without “to” with a noun
9. cardinal numeral
10. verb “to be” in the 1 person singular Present Simple form
11. adjective in the comparative form
12. gerund
13. verb in the infinitive without “to”
14. verb in the 1 person singular Present Continuous form
15. verb in the 1 person singular Present Simple form
16. Participle 2
17. verb in the Future Simple form
18. adjective