There is a fairly confusing double negative sentence that don't know whether I should see two negative indicators(unlikely & unable) as positive or take it as double emphasis for being negative?
Here's the sentence:
I am afraid it is unlikely that we will be unable to accept any further registrations.
I know that if the sentence goes 'it is likely that we will be unable.. ' or 'it is unlikely that we will be able..' carry the same meaning of refusing politely, but what about in this context, does it mean 'able' or 'unable' ?
And does the word 'any' here contain a negative sense at all?
To avoid such confusion to English learners like me , what would you suggest to distinguish the meaning of double negative sentences?
Thank you!
Top answer
it is unlikely that we will be unable to accept any = we will probably be able to accept some. 'Unfortunately' in this context seems exceedingly odd.
— Mister Micawber
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