Quick Grammar Question

Both of you are right in a way, I think. Strictly speaking, you said, 'I don't think it isn't paper.' Maybe not really a double negative, since each subject of each clause has its own verb. Double negatives are usually a negative verb plus a negative adverb, conjunction or pronoun. But upon strict analysis, you wound up saying the opposite of what you meant. So, while your co-worker might not be exactly right about why, it's still an error, strictly speaking.

On the other hand, it's a very common pattern. I prefer descriptive grammar over the prescriptive kind. If you'd said that to me, I'd never think twice about it. Maybe your co-worker is a bit anal.

I think it "sounds" fine, as far as everyday speech goes.

That said, it probably is a double negative, if you consider it to be all one statement. This might be more apparent if you re-arrange the word order as follows:

"I don't think this (is/isn't) paper."

But, I would look at it as more or less a new sentence. This would be clear, for example:

This isn't paper. At least I don't think it is.

You are simply adding the proviso that you don't claim to be certain, that way.

I agree with Layman. In conversation and informal writing, the rules may be relaxed. A remark like "It isn't paper, I don't think" would be easily understood, as Layman says to mean something like "It isn't paper, at least I don't think so". Tone of voice would reinforce this. Anyhow, Gy273, what kind of work place are you in where people correct your English? Where I work there is a guy with OCD and (I suspect) a touch of Asperger's who does this and everybody just lets it go, or else offers an explanation like above, but in general, someone who corrects your speech is being rude and where I come from would be called a "knob", if male, or else a "twat". Of course this could just be friendly banter, but that so easily shades off into bullying, one-upmanship or just plain showing-off.

Context rules! (Derrida again !)

Actually the double negative is common in English dialects but tends to be a "social marker". And in French a double negative has its residue in ne....pas, etc.

Note that A2K doesn't do "quick" on grammar issues
.

If it isn't paper...

...and if you are not thinking...

...the sentence is just fine as written.

As a bit of conversation...it is just fine as is...even if you were thinking.

It was very common where I grew up in the US. The teachers had to beat it out of us, so to speak. It's a necessary aspect of Korean language, too. In many situations, if you DON'T use a double negative, the reader/listener will be confused.

And, yes, context rules. Gotta hand that to Derrida. Speaking of which, I was able to separate him from his hangers-on and now I have a greater appreciation for his body of work. Thanks for inspiring me to give him a fair read.

There's no double negative, relaxed rules or strict. "It isn't paper" and "I don't think" are two separate sentences, each with one negative. The sentences are run together with a comma, but they're still independent.

It's not likely the second clause, "I don't think," will be perceived by the listener as negating the first clause. Instead, it will be heard as reinforcing it.

Double negatives are not ungrammatical anyway! They are usually avoided if a simpler sentence without any negative can be used instead, to make your writing clearer.

In my opinion, it's not paper.

In my opinion, it isn't paper.

Or: Anyone who thinks that that's paper doesn't have half the sense that God gave a goose.

Dear All,

I want to ask correct me this title "Nomads of the Great Steppe and the Silk Road". Is it correct ? Could you correct me ? Thank you in advance

Looks good to me. You could take out that last 'the,' but it's not really important.

Thank you for your reply. I will take it out as you recommended.

You're welcome. Best of luck to you!

Glenn
you have changed the meaning of the sentence.
"It isn´t paper, I don´t think "has a certain doubt in it. There still is a chance it is paper.
When you say "In my opinion...." there is not a chance for doubt and the other person just has to shut up. Now it is not a grammar question, but a question of opinion.

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It's plastic.

When someone says, “ It isn’t paper, I don’t think,” they are giving their opinion concerning the status of whatever it is that may, or may not, be paper.

According to Dictionary.com, an opinion is a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.