In English, the single negative principle means that only one negative word is used to express a negative idea. When forming negative sentences, one should never double up on negative words. One negative is enough.
This lesson focuses on the words: anything, something and nothing, but the same principle is true for the pronouns: anybody, somebody and nobody.

The single negative in English
The introduction of the single negative in English is commonly attributed to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Following the invasion, Old English speakers were exposed to Old French and new forms of Latin, both of which used a single negative for negation (e.g., ne or non). Over time, this influence helped shape the development of Modern English negation, which gradually moved away from the double negatives used in earlier stages of the language (as seen in Old English) to the single negative construction we use today. This change is likely to have occurred due to the simplification of syntactical structures and the merging of different linguistic influences.
An individual often credited with formalising the use of the single negative in the English language is William of Shoreham, a 14th-century English priest and scholar. As a member of the clergy, Shoreham is thought to have introduced the single negative in his works to standardise the language, aligning it with emerging norms and making it more consistent in written form. This was part of the broader movement of language standardisation during the Middle English period, which was influenced by the increasing use of English in official and literary contexts.
Nothing
“Nothing” is a negative word in its own right, just like “never” and “not”.
- I like coffee.
- I do not like coffee.
- I always drink coffee.
- I never drink coffee.
- I have had something to drink.
- I have had nothing to drink.
Anything
“Anything” is used to refer to any object, idea or amount.
For example: “I do not have anything to do today.”
Here, “anything” is used with “not” to express the negative.
“Nothing” is used in negative sentences to mean “not anything”.
For example: “I have nothing to do today.”
This means the same as “I don’t have anything to do today.”
Something
“Something“, similar to “anything”, expresses the positive. It is used in positive sentences and questions to refer to an unspecified object, idea or amount.
For example: “I have something to do today.”
This means there is a specific thing or task to do, but it is not specified.

Double negatives
Using two negatives together in a sentence, such as “I don’t have nothing,” is considered incorrect in standard English, as it creates a double negative. However, there are dialects of English in which it may be heard in colloquial use:
- I ain’t got nothing to do today
Use either “nothing” or “anything” depending on whether your sentence is positive or negative.
“Nothing” is just one negative option. So, one might write:
- “I have nothing to do.”
Or, one might write:
- “I do not have anything to do.”
The meaning is the same. The opposite would be to write:
- “I have something to do.”
Exercises to practise
After you have filled in the answer to the question, decide whether your sentence is positive or negative and then write the opposite!
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