Grade
11
NAME
Lesson 11.12.3
pp. 227–228
Illogical Comparisons and Double Negatives
EXERCISE 1
Rewriting Sentences
Rewrite each sentence to correct any illogical comparisons or double negatives.
EXAMPLE We don’t have no exact proof of how the Egyptian pyramids were built.
We don’t have any exact proof of how the Egyptian pyramids were built.
Incorrect:
I can’t think of
no other place
I’d rather go than
Egypt.
correct:
I can’t think of
any other place
I’d rather go than
Egypt.
1. The pyramids of Giza weren’t never meant to be tourist attractions.
2. The kings who had the pyramids built couldn’t never have guessed that people would
one day travel thousands of miles to Giza.
3. The pyramids no longer contain none of the goods that were originally placed in the
tombs with the kings.
4. The Great Pyramid is bigger than any pyramid in Giza.
5. Do you think the pyramids of Giza are more impressive than any Egyptian attraction?
EXERCISE 2
E
liminating Illogical Comparisons and Double
Negatives
Underline the portion of each sentence that contains an illogical comparison or a double
negative. On the line, write the word or words that should replace the error.
EXAMPLE I don’t never think I will ever travel to Egypt.
don’t ever
1. As much as I’d like to go, I can’t see no way that will ever happen.
2. Egypt is more interesting to me than any country in Africa.
3. Giza, in particular, intrigues me more than anywhere in Egypt.
4. The Great Sphinx has a human face but doesn’t have no human body.
5. No other attraction can’t compare to the sites at Giza.
1
Copyright © by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate classroom quantities granted to users of Grammar for Writing.
Use only one
negative word to
express a negative
idea.