Skip to main content

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: Not in 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’t any reason to be afraid of her.)
  • There are no eggs in the fridge. (or There aren’t any eggs 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?