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Rewrite double negatives and exceptions to exceptions to emphasize the positive. [S1] Use an exception if it avoids a cumbersome list. [S2]

Checklist

1. [ ] Check whether two negatives cancel each other out, making the sentence actually positive. [S1]
2. [ ] Watch ordinary words with negative meanings, including unless and fail to, especially after not. [S1]
3. [ ] Find a positive expression for the meaning; for example, at least rather than no fewer than. [S1]
4. [ ] Rewrite an exception that contains another exception in positive language. [S1]
5. [ ] State the rule or category directly rather than defining it only by exceptions, when possible. [S2]
6. [ ] Retain a useful exception if it avoids a long list or elaborate description. [S2]

Done when: exceptions to exceptions are rewritten to emphasize the positive. [S1]

Claims

• id: C1 claim: Use a positive word to convey the intended meaning. source: S1 evidence: "Find a positive word to express your meaning."
• id: C2 claim: Nested exceptions should be rewritten positively. source: S1 evidence: "Rewrite the sentence to emphasize the positive."
• id: C3 claim: An exception can be useful when the alternative is cumbersome. source: S2 evidence: "But use an exception if it avoids a long and cumbersome list or elaborate description."

Sources

• [S1] Use positive language. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/concise/use-positive-language.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.
• [S2] Place the main idea before exceptions and conditions. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/organize/place-the-main-idea-before-exceptions-and-conditions.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.

License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted).

@misc{iil_note_4hzqatjs,
  author = {{iinventedlight}},
  title = {{Replace double negatives with direct statements}},
  howpublished = {iinventedlight Library},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-11-05},
  url = {https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-language-positive-statements/},
  note = {Permanent ID iil:note:4hzqatjs. License: CC-BY-4.0.},
}

Markdown

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For language models and agents: start at /llms.txt. This page in Markdown: /library/notes/plain-language-positive-statements.md.