Sentential negation is the linguistic process by which an entire sentence or clause is
negated. This type of negation typically involves the insertion of a negative word (like "not" in
English) or a negative affix within the sentence structure. The purpose of sentential negation
is to reverse the meaning of the entire sentence, rather than just negating a single word or
phrase within it.
Here are a few key points about sentential negation:
1. Position of Negation: In English, sentential negation often involves the auxiliary
verb "do" for simple present and past tenses, followed by "not" (or the contraction
"n't"). For example:
○ Positive: "She likes apples."
○ Negative: "She does not like apples." or "She doesn't like apples."
2. Auxiliary Verbs: With auxiliary verbs (such as "be," "have," "will," etc.), the negation
is placed after the auxiliary verb:
○ Positive: "They are going to the party."
○ Negative: "They are not going to the party."
3. Modal Verbs: Similarly, with modal verbs (such as "can," "must," "should," etc.), the
negation follows the modal verb:
○ Positive: "He can swim."
○ Negative: "He cannot swim." or "He can't swim."
4. Complex Sentences: In complex sentences, the negation can affect the main clause
or a subordinate clause, depending on where the negative word is placed:
○ Main clause negation: "I do not think that he will come."
○ Subordinate clause negation: "I think that he will not come."
Double Negation in English
In English, double negation typically occurs when two negative elements are used in the
same sentence. This can either be for emphasis or it can create confusion, depending on the
context and the speaker's intention.
1. Standard English (Non-Standard Usage):
○ In non-standard or informal varieties of English, double negation is often used
for emphasis, but it is generally considered incorrect in standard English.
○ Example: "I don't know nothing." (Intended to mean "I don't know anything.")
○ In standard English, the correct form would be: "I don't know anything."
2. Mathematical/Logical Double Negation:
○ In formal logic and mathematics, double negation refers to the principle that
two negations cancel each other out, resulting in an affirmative statement.
○ Example: "It is not true that he does not know." This logically simplifies to "He
knows."
Double Negation in Croatian
In Croatian, double negation is a standard grammatical feature and is used to emphasize the
negation. Unlike in English, it is not considered incorrect and is actually required in negative
sentences.
1. Standard Usage:
○ In Croatian, when a verb is negated, any indefinite pronouns or adverbs that
follow must also be negated to agree with the verb.
○ Example: "Ne znam ništa." (I don't know anything; literally: "I don't know
nothing.")
○ Another example: "Nisam nikoga vidio." (I didn't see anyone; literally: "I didn't
see no one.")
Comparison and Key Points
● English:
○ Double negation in standard English usually results in a positive statement,
e.g., "I can't not go" (meaning "I must go").
○ In non-standard English, double negation is used for emphasis but is
considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing.
○ The correct standard English negation involves a single negative element,
e.g., "I don't know anything."
● Croatian:
○ Double negation is grammatically correct and required.
○ The negation of the verb necessitates the negation of pronouns/adverbs, e.g.,
"Ne vidim ništa" (I don't see anything).
○ This form does not create ambiguity and is a standard part of the language
structure.
In English, forming a negative sentence often involves the use of an auxiliary verb (also
known as a helping verb) combined with "not." Here's a breakdown of how this works with
different types of auxiliary verbs:
Common Auxiliary Verbs Used in Negation
1. Do/Does/Did (Used with main verbs in simple present and past tenses)
○ Present Tense:
■ Positive: "She likes apples."
■ Negative: "She does not like apples." or "She doesn't like apples."
○ Past Tense:
■ Positive: "They went to the park."
■ Negative: "They did not go to the park." or "They didn't go to the park."
2. Be (Used in continuous tenses and passive voice)
○ Present Continuous:
■ Positive: "He is running."
■ Negative: "He is not running." or "He isn't running."
○ Past Continuous:
■ Positive: "They were eating."
■ Negative: "They were not eating." or "They weren't eating."
○ Passive Voice:
■ Positive: "The book is written by the author."
■ Negative: "The book is not written by the author." or "The book isn't
written by the author."
3. Have (Used in perfect tenses)
○ Present Perfect:
■ Positive: "She has finished her homework."
■ Negative: "She has not finished her homework." or "She hasn't
finished her homework."
○ Past Perfect:
■ Positive: "They had left before the party started."
■ Negative: "They had not left before the party started." or "They hadn't
left before the party started."
4. Modal Verbs (Can, Could, Will, Would, Shall, Should, May, Might, Must)
○ Positive: "He can swim."
○ Negative: "He cannot swim." or "He can't swim."
○ Positive: "She will come."
○ Negative: "She will not come." or "She won't come."
Examples of Sentences with Auxiliary Verbs in Negation
● Simple Present Tense:
○ Positive: "I like tea."
○ Negative: "I do not like tea." or "I don't like tea."
● Simple Past Tense:
○ Positive: "They visited the museum."
○ Negative: "They did not visit the museum." or "They didn't visit the museum."
● Present Continuous Tense:
○ Positive: "She is watching TV."
○ Negative: "She is not watching TV." or "She isn't watching TV."
● Present Perfect Tense:
○ Positive: "We have seen that movie."
○ Negative: "We have not seen that movie." or "We haven't seen that movie."
● Modal Verb:
○ Positive: "You should study for the exam."
○ Negative: "You should not study for the exam." or "You shouldn't study for the
exam."
