Negative word no
Definition
No functions as a negative determiner when it appears directly before a noun. It expresses zero quantity or absence: no visitors, no time, no reason.
Examples
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No visitors were allowed inside.
No determines the plural countable noun visitors.
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I have no idea.
No expresses the absence of any idea.
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There is no milk left.
No determines the uncountable noun milk.
No vs. none
No tickets were available.
No appears before the noun tickets.
None were available.
None stands alone and replaces the noun phrase.
Use no before a noun. Use none when the noun is omitted because it is already understood.
No works with singular, plural, and uncountable nouns
The form of the following noun depends on the meaning. A singular noun can mean not one instance, a plural noun can mean zero members of a class, and an uncountable noun can mean zero amount.
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There was no answer.
The singular noun refers to the absence of one expected answer.
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There were no empty seats.
The plural noun refers to zero available members of the group.
Common mistakes
I do not have no time.
I have no time.
In standard English, avoid combining not and determiner no for one negative meaning.
None people attended.
No people attended.
Use determiner no directly before a noun. None stands without a following noun.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses no as a determiner?
No directly determines the noun customers.Which sentence correctly uses none?
None stands alone and replaces the understood noun phrase.Which sentence avoids a double negative?
Determiner no is sufficient to express zero quantity.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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