A negative word says no: not, never, no, nothing, nobody, none and the short forms like don't and can't. A sentence needs only one. Two together, as in I don't have no pencils, make a double negative, and the sentence says the opposite of what the writer means. After a negative word use any, anything or anyone: I don't have any pencils.
On this fifth grade sheet a child reads ten pairs of sentences and circles the one that uses only one negative word. Each version has different sentences, and the answer key gives every answer.
What your child will learn
Spot a negative word
Know that one is enough
Use any, anything and anyone after a negative
Hear a double negative
Common Core standard: L.5.1
Worked example
I don't have any pencils is correct. I don't have no pencils uses two negative words.
Common mistake
Using no, nothing or nobody after don't, can't or didn't.
Helpful hint
Count the negative words. If there are two in one sentence, that one is wrong.
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