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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/25339
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

This is an extract from a book I am currently reading, the author escapes me at this minute, but i will update.

    OFTEN IN ACTUAL LIFE, and not infrequently in the myths and the popular 
    tales, we encounter the dull case of the call unanswered; 
    for it is always possible to turn the ear to other interests.

My question is in relation to the authors use of double negatives. For example he says, `not infrequently`. Is it better practice here to write `frequently` e.g. `
OFTEN IN ACTUAL LIFE, and frequently in the myths and the popular tales,...`

Or is this a question of style? What are people thoughts on this?

* * *

> as per @Thomas Myron comment
> 
> ## BELOW IS FOR MY REFERENCE, ABOVE HERE IS MY QUESTION

* * *

There is probably more to this senctence than i am getting. If I break this whole sentence down further to try and understand it better

part1: this part could be written on its own

    OFTEN IN ACTUAL LIFE, we encounter the dull case of the call unanswered; 
    for it is always possible to turn the ear to other interests.

part 2: and this and not infrequently in the myths and the popular tales

* * *

So correct me if I am wrong but this is what he is saying in my own words:

    Often in actual life and frequently in the myths and the popular tales,
    we encounter the dull case of the call unanswered; 
    for it is always possible to turn the ear to other interests.

* * *

So there is my words of what he says:

    Often in actual life and frequently in the myths and the popular tales,
    we encounter the dull case of the call unanswered; 
    for it is always possible to turn the ear to other interests.

And then there is his way:

    OFTEN IN ACTUAL LIFE, and not infrequently in the myths and the popular 
    tales, we encounter the dull case of the call unanswered; 
    for it is always possible to turn the ear to other interests.

Would anyone care to comment on the difference and which one is better(or easier to understand). Is it just a different style? Or is it just me and my english is not the best i.e. I have to write it down more simpler? Would appreciae peoples thoughts. I mean is the author consciously doing this or

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