Shaky English Logo
BlogBusinessesSchoolsDownload the App

Resources

Blog

Follow us:

Services

TeachersSchoolsBusinesses

Contact & Legal

Contact UsFeedback & IdeasPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use

© 2026 Shaky English. All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Sentence Structure & Word Order
  4. Double Negatives (e.g. I don’t know nothing)
Sentence Structure & Word Order

Double Negatives (e.g. I don’t know nothing)

2 min read
Share:

In standard English, using two negative words in the same sentence usually creates a grammar error called a double negative. This happens when two negative forms are used together — making the sentence unclear or even giving the opposite meaning.

What is a double negative?

A double negative occurs when two negative words (like not, don’t, nothing, never, no one) are used in the same clause. In English, only one negative word is needed to express a negative meaning.

  • ❌ I don’t know nothing about it. → ✅ I don’t know anything about it.
  • ❌ She didn’t see no one. → ✅ She didn’t see anyone.
  • ❌ We can’t find nothing to eat. → ✅ We can’t find anything to eat.

Why is it incorrect?

In English grammar, two negatives cancel each other out — so the sentence becomes confusing or even positive. For example, “I don’t know nothing” literally means “I know something” — which is likely not what the speaker intended.

What to use instead?

Use only one negative word in a sentence. If you use a verb with not or don’t, then follow it with a positive form like anything, anyone, or ever.

  • I don’t need anything.
  • She didn’t talk to anyone.
  • We haven’t heard from anybody yet.

💡 Tip

  • In English, use only one negative word per clause.
  • If you start with “don’t,” “can’t,” or “never,” follow it with any-words (anything, anyone, ever).
  • “Nothing,” “no one,” and “nobody” are already negative — don’t pair them with another negative verb.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

I ___ about the problem, sorry.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Other similar rules

Common confusions

Peak vs. Peek vs. Pique

Peak, peek, and pique sound the same but have very different meanings. Mixing them up is extremely common, so here’s how to keep them clear. Peak Peak is a noun or verb related to the highest point o...

Read more→
Vocabulary

Semicolons

Semicolons (;) help connect ideas that are closely related. They are stronger than a comma but less final than a period. Let’s look at how to use them correctly. 1. Use a semicolon to join two relate...

Read more→
Common confusions

Based off vs. Based on

Have you heard someone say something is “based off” a book or movie? You may wonder — is that correct, or should it be “based on”? Let’s clear it up! ✅ Based on Based on is the traditional and more...

Read more→
A bit of theory

The correct use of “anxious”

In everyday English, people often say they are anxious to do something when they actually mean they are eager or excited. However, these words do not mean the same thing. Anxious Anxious means feelin...

Read more→
Conjugation

Other vs. Another vs. The other vs. Others

Words like other, another, the other, and others are often confusing because they all refer to “something else.” The difference depends on number (singular/plural) and whether the group is specific or...

Read more→
Agreement rules

Incomplete Comparisons

When you make a comparison, you need to compare two or more things clearly. If you leave something out, the sentence becomes confusing — or sounds unfinished. That’s called an incomplete comparison....

Read more→
Common confusions

“Different from” vs. “Different than”

In English, we often use the word different to talk about contrast or distinction. But should we say different from or different than? The answer depends on grammar and style — but in most cases, diff...

Read more→
Common mistakes

Reporting Verbs & Backshifting

When we report what someone said, we usually change the tense, pronouns, and time expressions. This is called reported speech. The rules are simple once you understand why the changes happen. Direct...

Read more→