Welcome to the world’s largest English language related social network

Question on double negative

General English Grammar & Vocabulary,... » General English Grammar Questions

We have a wide variety of direct marketing options available, Click here for more info.
Share
Check out collection of letter writing templates. Exclusive to EnglishForums visitors.

Do you want to help other people? We are happy to have you answer questions posted in our forums if you are polite and if you try to be accurate. If you are not sure about any point, please check your grammar book or dictionary before posting– and don't forget to proofread your writing before you post it! Posts are moderated. If your posts are not polite or helpful, the moderators may edit or delete them. If your posts are often rude or if your answers are often incorrect, a moderator may contact you directly.
1 2
12 Email subscribers
+1
This question is Not Answered. Latest post 5 yr 37 days ago by Anonymous. 12 replies.

We have a wide variety of direct marketing options available, Click here for more info.
mbyoh  [More info]
At dinner this evening, a guest said, "I have no bread". Another guest said that was incorrect, this statement presented a double negative. The correct statement should be, " I don't have any bread". I argued that "I have no bread" is correct and proper, to me, even preferred over I don't have any bread. Who is right?
mbyoh+0
Joined on Mon, Feb 28 2005
New Member 01
+1 CalifJim  [More info]
Welcome to EnglishForums, mbyoh!

Both "I have no bread" and "I don't have any bread" are correct. Neither one contains a double negative. Neither one is necessarily preferred. The form with the (incorrect) double negative is "I don't have no bread".

California Jim
CalifJim+16
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member 26,852
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
Related discussions

Pitch and Stress

Submitted by hitchhiker v2 by mbyoh 228 days ago
Lesson Six: Pitch And Loudness Change The Meaning Of Sentences In English the following sentence can mean two things: 'It's over there' .. This can be either an answer to a question such as Q: 'Where is the cup?' A: 'Its over there.' .. ...
+1 just the truth  [More info]
Jim:
The form with the (incorrect) double negative is "I don't have no bread".


Double negatives are not "incorrect". They are merely nonstandard. The difference is one that is clearly recognized by language scientists.
just the truth+0
Joined on Mon, Dec 27 2004
Regular Member 849
+1 CalifJim  [More info]
I is truly graitfull 4 ur konteebyushin. you is reely a good helpor 4 all are studints. wunze day lissins 2 U -- denn dayz gonna have real gud ingritch. I duzn't hardley blames U tho' cuz U obeeyussley not having had no much larning wut wiff diss heer eingltich.

I don't spose U got no objekshins 2 thiss heer non-standizashin-tipe stuff. Glldd to heer i kin rite how i wants & U like soe gud all wut I riites. , no mattterring how i does it.
CalifJim+16
+1 by Guest [More info]
"I have no bread" sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
 
+1 by just the truth [More info]
What a wonderfully constructive way to address the issues, Jim. I'm impressed!
 
+1 MrPedantic  [More info]
On the contrary, JT. Your protest proves Jim's point.

MrP
MrPedantic+11
Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004
Veteran Member 12,705
...opella forensis / adducit febris...
+1 by just the truth [More info]
What protest, Mr P; I was suitably impressed.
 
+1 Casi  [More info]
The difference is one that is clearly recognized by language scientists.


Sounds like a new religion; What do they quantify?
Casi+0
Joined on Sat, Sep 25 2004
Regular Member 547
1 2
Welcome to Englishforums.com, the world's largest EFL / TEFL social network.


Places to start

Community Sites

Browse Englishforums

© MediaCet Ltd. 2010, xC v6.0.3898.30412. All content posted by our users is a contribution to the public domain, this does not include imported usenet posts.*
For web related enquires please contact us on webmaster@mediacet.com, status updates are available at status.mediacet.com.
*Usenet post removal: Use 'X-No-Archive'. You may not have understood that your posts would end up in the public domain. Please send proof of the poster's email, we will remove immediately.