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词汇 grammar_british-grammar_no-or-not
释义

No or not?


No and not are the two most common words we use to indicate negation. We use no before a noun phrase:

There’s no address on the envelope.

[parent to child]

No biscuits before dinner!

No decisions have been made.

We use not with any other phrase or clause:

It’s not often that you stop and think about the way you breathe.

Not suitable for children under 15.

Not surprisingly, it was a tense match but eventually the more experienced Australians won.


A:

Do you go cycling all year round?


B:

Notin the winter.


Not: No in the winter.



No or not any?


There is very little difference in meaning between There is/are no + noun and There isn’t/aren’t any + noun:

There’s no reason to be afraid of her. (or There isn’tanyreason to be afraid of her.)

There are no eggs in the fridge. (or There aren’tanyeggs in the fridge.)

No + noun often makes the negative stronger. In speaking, we often stress no.


Compare

He paid no attention to what I was saying. (stronger)

He didn’t pay any attention to what I was saying.

I’ve decided that I have no alternative. (stronger)

I’ve decided that I don’t have any alternative.


No or Not a/an?


When a noun has an ungradable meaning (it is either something or it is not) we cannot use no + noun:

A potato is not a fruit.

Not: A potato is no fruit.

When a noun has a gradable meaning, no + noun means the same as not a/an + noun:

[a football manager talking about signing a new player]

It’s no secret that we are interested. (= It’s not a secret. A secret is gradable. Something can be more of a secret than something else.)


Responding to a question


We often use no to respond to a yes-no question, or to agree with a negative statement. We don’t use not on its own in this way:


A:

Do you need anything from the shops?


B:

No. I went earlier, thanks.



A:

He’s not going to get any better.


B:

No. You’re right.


Not: Not. You’re right.


No problem, no good, not worth


We use no and not in some common fixed expressions:


A:

When you see Alan, can you give him this letter?


B:

Yes sure, no problem.


She had no idea what time they were arriving.

It’s no good standing around watching. Do something!

You’ve got no chance of getting a ticket now. They’re all sold out.

It’s not worth taking a taxi. We can walk.


See also:


Not


No, none and none of


Negation


Worth or worthwhile?



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