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Is it correct, if I say, "John, do not be negative".
I don't mean to say, "John, be positive".
I mean he just shouldn't be negative, not necessarily positive. I'm using 'negative' as an adverb to qualify how John should be. Such as "John do not walk slowly".
Is"John, do not be negative" still a case of double negation? And if so, how do I phrase the sentence.
To bring this out of the shadows and into the shimmering light of an answer, no, it is not.
For those who,like their logic chopped,
"John, do not be negative" is not structurally different from "John, do not be ridiculous," or even "John. do not go gentle into that good night."
Although it may sound absurd to say so,"to be negative" involves a positive assertion. The admonition "John, do not...” is, of course, a negative instruction.
"John, do not be not negative" would be a double negative (would it not be?) and would be absurd. Or not...
