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.
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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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