Double Negative

A double negative occurs when two negative words or constructs appear in a sentence, which can cancel each other out or create confusion. For example, saying "I don't need no help" technically means "I do need help" because the two negatives ("don't" and "no") negate each other. In standard English, double negatives are generally avoided because they can make the meaning unclear or imply an affirmation. Understanding double negatives helps in constructing clear, precise sentences and in interpreting statements accurately.