From the course: Writing with Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer

Unlock the full course today

Join today to access over 22,600 courses taught by industry experts or purchase this course individually.

Double negatives

Double negatives

From the course: Writing with Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer

Start my 1-month free trial

Double negatives

“

- Okay, another thing that we've got to avoid doing is over-complicating things. In a way, you're making simple points sound a lot more complex than they actually are. Now, it's another way that we get simplicity in our writing. Now, as an elite writer, look to simplify these things as much as possible, whatever your idea is. Unnecessary complexity gives readers needless headaches. And one way we over-complicate is by using double negatives, like this: He was not certain that he would not make a mess of it. Not certain and would not. It gives you a bit of a headache, doesn't it? So try and turn it 'round into a positive expression. How about this? He thought he might make a mess of it. Or perhaps, he worried he might make a mess of it. Of course, there are rare times when a double negative will capture a precise nuance that you want to have in your writing and, if so, that's acceptable. But otherwise, they only interfere with comprehension. Now here's another one: It wasn't that John…

Contents