Double Negatives
Spanish does not normally mix negative and affirmative words. Unlike English, Spanish allows for the use of double, and triple negatives.
- Juan no necesita algo. (incorrect)
Juan doesn't need anything. (correct) - Juan no necesita nada. (correct)
Juan doesn't need nothing. (incorrect) - No tengo nada que hacer. (correct)
I don't have nothing to do. (incorrect)
Let's look at some examples of sentences that use more than one negative expression:
- No tienes nada que hacer.
You don't have anything to do. - Ese niño no se lleva bien con nadie.
That boy doesn't get along well with anyone. - Gabriel nunca ha contribuido nada a la clase.
Gabriel has never contributed anything to the class. - Nunca debes hablar con ningún extraño.
You should never speak to any stranger. - ¿No tienes nada que decir?
Don't you have anything to say?
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