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Multiple negatives: I couldn’t see nobody

English and other languages​

In some languages, a negative idea is expressed both by the verb and by accompanying pronouns or adverbs. In standard English, one negative word is normally enough.

  • I opened the door, but I couldn’t see anybody / I could see nobody. (not … but I couldn’t see nobody.)
  • Tell them nothing. (not Don’t tell them nothing.)
  • Your suggestion will help neither of us. (not … won’t help neither …)
  • Nothing matters now – everything’s finished. (not Nothing doesn’t matter …)
  • I’ve never understood what she wants. (not I haven’t never understood …)

nobody and not anybody, etc​

Nobody, nothing, never, etc are rather emphatic. We often prefer to use not anybody, not anything, not ever, etc. Note that anybody, anything, ever, etc are not themselves negative words (see here) – they have to be used with not to give a negative meaning.

  • I opened the door, but I couldn’t see anybody. (not … but I could see anybody.)
  • Don’t tell them anything.
  • Your suggestion won’t help either of us.

At the beginning of a clause, only nobody, nothing, etc are used.

  • Nothing matters. (not Not anything matters.)
  • Nowhere is safe.

Double and multiple negatives and their meaning​

Two or more negative words can be used in one clause, but then both words normally have their full meaning. Compare:

  • Say nothing. (= Be silent.)
  • Don’t just say nothing. Tell us what the problem is. (= Don’t be silent …)

Multiple negatives are sometimes used instead of simple positive structures for special stylistic effects. This is rather literary; in spoken English it can seem unnatural or old-fashioned.

  • Not a day passes when I don’t regret not having studied music in my youth. (More natural: Every day I regret not having studied music when I was younger. or I wish I had studied music when I was younger.)

Dialects​

In many British, American and other dialects, two or more negatives can be used with a single negative meaning.

  • I ain’t seen nobody. (Standard English: I haven’t seen anybody.)
  • I ain’t never done nothing to nobody, and I ain’t never got nothing from nobody no time. (American song by Bert Williams)
note

For more information about ain’t, (see here).

… I don’t think, etc​

In informal speech, expressions like I don’t think or I don’t suppose are often added after negative statements. In this case, the extra negative makes no difference to the meaning of the statement.

  • She hasn’t got much chance of passing the exam, I don’t think.
  • We won’t be back before midnight, I don’t suppose.

Extra negative in expressions of doubt​

In informal speech, a negative verb (without a negative meaning) is sometimes used after expressions of doubt or uncertainty.

  • I shouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t get married soon. (= … if they got married soon.)
  • I wonder whether I oughtn’t to go and see a doctor – I’m feeling a bit funny. (= … whether I ought to …)