Use of Double Negatives in Spanish
Spanish does not normally mix negative and affirmative words. Unlike English, Spanish allows for the use of double, and triple negatives.
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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:
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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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