* Single Negative: A single negative expresses a lack of something. For example, "I don't like pizza." This means you dislike pizza.
* Double Negative: When you use two negatives, they negate each other. For example, "I don't not like pizza." This means you actually do like pizza.
Here are some examples:
* "I haven't never seen that movie." (Double negative) This means "I have seen that movie."
* "He didn't say nothing." (Double negative) This means "He said something."
* "I can't find no one to help me." (Double negative) This means "I can find someone to help me."
Why is this confusing?
* Informal Usage: Double negatives are sometimes used informally, especially in certain dialects. This can create ambiguity and make it difficult to determine the true meaning.
* Historical Usage: Historically, double negatives were acceptable in English. Over time, the language evolved to use only one negative per sentence.
In standard English, double negatives should be avoided as they can lead to confusion and misinterpretations.