Unit 8.2
No vs Not
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Introduction
No and not convey a negative meaning for clauses, words and expressions.
Form
No and not have different position in the sentence.
No
No is used before nouns without articles and with -ing form to mean “not any”.
Not
Not is used before nouns (with articles), adverbs, adjectives and verb. It appears also before the words any, enough, many, much.
Example
No:
- Could you please give me some hydrogen peroxide? No way, it is dangerous for children.
- Would you like to come with me to the party tonight? No, I don’t want to.
- There is no thermometer in the bathroom
- You have got no emails.
Not:
- I’m a dentist, not a psychologist.
- The professor is not explaining the lesson.
- The meaning is not clear.
- There are not any words to describe you.
- There is not enough alcohol for everyone.
- Not many people can afford private health service.
- There is not much time left.
Use
We use no and not for stating that someone/something is absent or negative. They have slightly difference in meaning.
- We use no in yes/no questions and to give more emphasis to the sentence;
- We use not for the negative form of sentences and to give less emphasis to a sentence.
Summary
No and not are both used to obtain the negative meaning of clauses, words and expressions.
We find:
- no before nouns without articles and with -ing form to express “not any”;
- not before nouns (with articles), adverbs, adjectives and verbs.
It also appears before the words any, enough, many or much.
For example:
— “There is no cake left.” = No can be used with nouns but without an article.
— “There is not anyone in the office.” = Not can be used with adjectives.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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