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  #1  
Old 27-Feb-2007, 19:00
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Lightbulb Double Negative

Hi,
I have looked through sooo many books and all over the internet to see if there is a word to describe a double negative. I was complaining loudly on a bus the other day and a man told me that the word was 'Litotes', however this is a slightly different definition.
Do you know if there is a single word to describe a double negative, and if there is, what is it?!

Many many thanks
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  #2  
Old 27-Feb-2007, 22:12
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Country: England
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MrPedantic has a spectacular aura aboutMrPedantic has a spectacular aura aboutMrPedantic has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Double Negative

Hello Unreg

"Double negative" describes the phenomenon; "litotes" describes a particular rhetorical use of the phenomenon, whereby the speaker affirms X by denying X's negation, e.g.

1. He was not unhappy.
2. The attempt was not unsuccessful.
3. I will in no way deny that negation.

Other members may have other thoughts, though, so keep watching!

All the best,

MrP
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