double negative
ˈdʌbəl ˈnɛɡətɪv
Definition

Definition of double negative - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
grammar ruleTECH.two negatives used together in a clause for a single negative effectTECH.
  • Saying 'I don't know nothing' is a double negative.
double negation
2.
languageTECH.USuse of two negatives to express an affirmative meaningTECH.US
  • In some dialects, double negatives can express emphasis rather than negation.
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Expressions with double

double asv.
serve a second purpose or function at the same time
My sofa doubles as a guest bed.
double backv.
retrace one's steps to a previous point
After realizing the mistake, she doubled back to the store.
double bookedadj.
having two appointments or reservations at the same time
She was double booked and had to reschedule one of her meetings.
double daten.
date where two couples participate together
We went on a double date to the movies.
double dipn.
dipping food twice in sauce
He was caught doing a double dip at the party.
double lifen.
hidden aspect of someone's life kept secret
She discovered his double life after finding secret emails.

Expressions with negative

go negativev.
shift from positive to negative actions or attitudes
The discussion started to go negative after the disagreement.
in the negativeadv.
in a way that means no
She replied in the negative to the invitation.
paint a negative picturev.
describe something in a bad way
The report paints a negative picture of the company's future.
negative changen.
decrease in quality or value
There was a negative change in the quality of the product.
negative consequencesn.
unfavorable outcomes from a decision or event
The negative consequences of the policy change were felt by many employees.
negative contributionn.
action or input that causes harm or problems
His negative contribution to the project delayed its completion.
negative feedbackn.
critical or disapproving comments or reactions
She received negative feedback on her presentation.
negative influencen.
person or thing that causes harm
He was considered a negative influence on the team.
negative signn.
indicator of something unfavorable or detrimental
The negative sign in the report worried the investors.
negative pressn.
information that shows someone or something in a bad way
The company received negative press after the scandal.

Terms related to double negative

💡 Terms in the same lexical field: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, hypernyms…
clauseconstructiongrammarlinguisticsrulesentencestructuresyntaxaffirmationexpressionphrase

Examples of double negative in a sentence

  • Avoid using a double negative in formal writing.
  • “I can't get no sleep” is a double negative in standard grammar.
  • The teacher explained how a double negative can imply agreement.

View all translations of double negative

✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:double négation, ...
  2. German:doppelte Verneinung, Doppelverneinung, ...
  3. Italian:doppia negazione, ...
  4. Spanish:doble negación, ...
  5. Portuguese:duplo negativo, dupla negação, ...
  6. Chinese:双重否定, 二重否定, ...
  7. Japanese:二重否定, ...
  8. Arabic:نَفْي مُزْدَوَج, نَفْيٌ مُزْدَوِج, ...
  9. Hebrew:שְׁלִילָה כְּפוּלָה, שְׁלִילָה כְּפוּלָה, ...
  10. Russian:двойное отрицание, конструкция с двумя отрицаниями, ...
  11. Ukrainian:подвійне заперечення, ...
  12. Hindi:दोहरा नकारात्मक, दोहरे निषेध का प्रयोग, ...

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