Double Negatives are Illogical

Jenny Cheshire

This chapter is about the use of double negatives. The people tend to complain about it being illogical, as both negatives would negate each other. This is untrue, due to the fact that the intention might still be negative. Besides, when using affirmative words, it would be very confusing what the speaker wants to convey. But there is the occasion when you want to negate another, you would use a double negative. With double negatives you can indicate something that is between two extremes. However many people would use these double negatives without knowing that they would make others very emotional. These double negatives were very popular amongst the likes of Shakespeare and Chaucer. Furthermore, scholars took over this habit. Nowadays, these double negatives are used in dialects and accents that are closely related to poverty. Even though double negatives are stigmatized, they are quit logical.

Using double negatives could be quite confusing for listeners, especially if English is not their native tongue. This might be a reason to refrain from using it. Yet, as stated in the myth, it is not illogical. Thus, it is a fallacy, stating that double negatives are illogical. I do agree with writer, although I would prefer from not using it, as I would just confuse myself with such a thing.