Double negatives Edit

We do not normally use not/n't or never with another negative word.

I didn't see anyone. NOT I didn't see no one.

That will never happen. NOT That won't never happen.

We've hardly started. NOT We haven't hardly started.

 

In non-standard English, a double negative means the same as a single negative. I didn't see no one. (non-standard)

(= I didn't see anyone./I saw no one.)

 

In standard English a double negative has a different meaning.

I didn't see no one. I saw one of my friends. (= I saw someone.)

We can't do nothing. (= We must do something.)

 

NOTE

We sometimes use a negative after I wouldn't be surprised if/It wouldn't surprise me if...

I wouldn't be surprised if it rained/if it didn't rain.

The speaker expects that it will rain.