Ask about English

Last updated at 18:01 GMT, Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Sale signs

Redundant negatives

Gareth Rees explains why a negative construction is sometimes used with a positive meaning

Recent answers

    • New technology

      Keep up

      17 August 2010
    • A couple in bed

      Likely

      10 August 2010
    • A group of youths

      Youngsters and youths

      3 August 2010

Question categories

Find answers to English language questions on the following topics:

  • Adjectives & adverbs

  • Confusing words & expressions

  • Conjunctions & clauses

  • Idiomatic expressions & phrasal verbs

  • Learning & exam skills

  • Modals & conditionals

  • Nouns, pronouns, determiners and articles

  • Prefixes & suffixes

  • Prepositions & prepositional phrases

  • Questions

  • Reported speech

  • Speaking & writing

  • Spelling, punctuation and pronunciation

  • Verbs & tenses

Latest Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation

  • Second jewel theft at Cannes

    Words in the News

  • In the palm of my hand

    Today's Phrase

  • A delicate job for hard men

    Video Words in the News

  • Money doesn't grow on trees

    Today's Phrase

  • Freak

    The English We Speak

  • Welcome home, gnomes

    Words in the News

  • Barbie house protest

    Words in the News

  • The spitting image

    Today's Phrase

Local Navigation

  • Home
  • General & Business English

  • Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation

    • Words in the News
    • The English We Speak
    • The Teacher
    • News English Extra
    • News about Britain
    • Pronunciation tips
    • Ask about English
    • How to…
    • Keep your English up to date
    • Face Up to Phrasals
    • Grammar Challenge
    • Funky Phrasals
  • Talking Sport
  • Quizzes
  • The Flatmates
  • Community
  • For teachers
  • Specials
  • About us
  • Downloads
  1. Home
  2. > Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation
  3. > Ask about English
Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index
BBC logo
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Radio
  • TV
  • Weather
  • Languages


BBC Learning English

Syndication Links

  • Contact us
  • Podcasts
  • Downloads
  • Widget

Useful links

  • ^^ Back to Top
  • BBC © 2013

  • Feeds

    • What is RSS?
    • Feed
  • Help & FAQ
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Site Map