L i t o t e s is a stylistic device consisting of a peculiar use of negative constructions.. Litotes is a deliberate understatement used to produce a stylistic effect. It is not a pure negation, but a negation that includes affirmation. So the negation in litotes must not be regarded as a mere denial of the quality mentioned. The structural aspect of the negative combination backs up the semantic aspect: the negatives no and not are more emphatically pronounced than in ordinary negative sentences, thus bringing to mind the corresponding antonym.The stylistic effect of litotes depends mainly on intonation. If we compare two intonation patterns, one which suggests a mere denial (It is not bad as a contrary to It is bad) with the other which suggests the assertion of a positive quality of the object (It is not bad==it is good), the difference will become apparent. The degree to which litotes carries the positive quality in itself can be estimated by analysing the semantic structure of the word which is negated. Litotes is used in different styles of speech, excluding those which may be called the matter-of-fact styles, like official style and scientific prose. In poetry it is sometimes used to suggest that language fails to adequately convey the poet's feelings and therefore he uses negations to express the inexpressible. Shakespeare's Sonnet No. 130 is to some extent illustrative in this respect. Here all the hackneyed phrases used by the poet to depict his beloved are negated with the purpose of showing the superiority of the earthly qualities of "My mistress." The first line of this sonnet 'My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun' is a clear-cut litotes although the object to which the eyes are compared is generally perceived as having only positive qualities.
She's not the brightest girl in the class.
He's not the most handsome fellow!
They aren't the happiest couple around.
They aren't the happiest couple around.
He's not the ugliest fellow around!
The food is not bad.
It is no ordinary city.
That sword was not useless to the warrior now.
He was not unfamiliar with the works of Dickens.
You are not wrong.
Einstein is not a bad mathematician.
Heat waves are not rare in the summer.
It won't be easy to find crocodiles in the dark.
That's no small accomplishment.
He is not the kindest person I've met.
That is no ordinary boy.
He is not unaware of what you said behind his back.
This is no minor matter.
The weather is not unpleasant at all.
She's no doll.
That was no small issue.
The city is not unclean.
Rap videos with dancers in them are not uncommon
Running a marathon in under two hours is no small accomplishment.
She's no idiot.
That's not a meager sum.
You're not doing badly.
That's no mean feat.
She's not a bad writer at all.