How to Fix Double Negatives in English

Many English learners make the mistake of using double negatives—two negative words in the same sentence. While this is common in some languages or casual speech, in standard English, it’s usually incorrect.

In this video, Luke corrects Mia when she says, “I didn’t do nothing.” That sentence has two negative words: didn’t and nothing. This creates confusion, and in English grammar, two negatives usually cancel each other out—making the sentence mean the opposite of what you want.

To fix it, you have two correct options:
• I didn’t do anything – using a negative with a positive.
• I did nothing – using one clear negative.

Understanding this rule helps you speak more clearly and sound more fluent. Double negatives can make your meaning unclear, especially in formal settings like school or work.

Watch the video to see examples and learn how to avoid this mistake in your daily English use.