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Raúl
Nothing or anything?
In Spain, we say, for example: "No quiero nada". "I don't want nothing" (nothing = nada)
In english I think is right to say: "I don't want anything" (anything = algo) or is correct "I don't want nothing"?
Is the same question: "There isn't anybody" or "There isn't nobody"?
Oct 18, 2013 12:06 AM
Answers · 3
3
If the statement is negative, use anything: I don't want anything.
If the statement is affirmative, use nothing. I want nothing.
I didn't see anybody.
I saw nobody.
There isn't anybody there.
There's nobody there.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/pronouns/indefinite-pronouns
October 18, 2013
2
The same goes for "there isn't nobody". It's a double negative.
October 18, 2013
2
I don't want nothing in English is a double negative. It's actually means that you do want something although people will know that you actually mean to say "I don't want anything". We try to avoid using double negatives in English.
October 18, 2013
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Raúl
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
English
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