DOUBLE NEGATIVES

A syntactic construction in which two negative words are used in the same clause to express a negative statement or denial is considered non-standard English. This non-standard English would not be used in formal writing assignments such as research papers, essays and reports.

Example of non-standard form: "They never paid me no money." meaning: They paid me no money or They never paid me any money.

Change the following non-standard English sentences to standard English form.

1.

I don't have none. _________________________________________________

2.

Don't give me no excuses for your behavior. ______________________________

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3.

Your friend doesn't want nothing to do with me. ___________________________

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4.

The school doesn't offer no courses in construction trade. ____________________

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5.

I don't know nothing about the car accident. ______________________________

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6.

I am not cooking no meals on my holiday. ________________________________

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7.

He will not be working at the store no more. ______________________________

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8.

You are not ready for no three-hour exam. _______________________________

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9.

The children don't want no juice right now. _______________________________

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10.

I don't have no money to buy groceries. _________________________________

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