Editor's Corner

Today’s brief article on double negatives is by Mignon Fogarty, otherwise known as Grammar Girl (www.quickanddirtytips.com).

"Can’t hardly" is an example of a double negative—something writing experts say you should avoid—and it also doesn’t make much sense. Often double negatives mean the opposite of what you are trying to say.

Occasionally, double negatives are useful when you want to place emphasis on something bad. I recently read a sentence in the New Scientist that referred to less unhealthy cigarettes. "Less unhealthy" is a double negative—"healthier" would be the positive descriptor—but "less unhealthy" keeps the emphasis on cigarettes’ dangers.

Other examples of double negatives (and poor word choices) include:

· could care less

· ain’t got no

· don’t need no

· don’t have nothing

· Can’t get no…satisfaction! (KC- Sorry Rolling Stones and DEVO.)

Happy Monday!

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