Negation: Nouns & Pronouns

In this lesson, we will learn about negative structures with nouns and pronouns. Do we have negative pronouns? How can we make a negative noun?

Negation of Nouns and Pronouns in the English Grammar

What Are Negative Nouns and Pronouns?

There are some words that can negate a noun and there are some pronouns that can negate a sentence. In this lesson, you will learn all the structures.

Negation with 'No'

'No' and 'none of' are determiners. We use them directly before nouns to indicate negation. Have a look at the examples:

There were no books left in the library about myths.

There's no butter left.

In signs and notices, 'no' usually comes before gerunds to show that something is not allowed. For example:

No smoking.

No fishing.

Negation with 'None of'

Just like 'no,' 'none of' acts as a determiner. It is used before 'the', demonstratives ('this' and 'that'), possessives, and pronouns. When we use 'none of' in the sentence, we should not use a negative verb. Pay attention to the examples:

None of my friends came to my birthday party.

Don't believe what they're saying. None of it is true.

Warning

Do not use 'none' directly before nouns. Either use 'none' on its own (as a pronoun) or use 'none of' + noun.

No students in her class passed the test. (or 'None of the students in her class...')

Do not say: None students in her class...

Negative Pronouns

Some indefinite pronouns (those created by the prefix 'no-') can negate a sentence. They do not need a negative verb. The most common ones are:

nobody
no one
none
nothing
nowhere

No one likes being criticized.

Nowhere is overpopulation a more serious issue than in China.

No or Not Any?

'No' and 'not any' have similar meanings. Their difference lies in their usage in sentences.
'No' is used with affirmative verbs and 'any' is used with the verb in negative form. Take a look at the examples:

There's no reason to be upset. = There isn't any reason to be upset.

There are no oranges in the refrigerator. = There aren't any oranges in the refrigerator.

negation with the word 'no'

Tip

'No' is more formal and stronger. In spoken English, 'no' is often pronounced with stress.

No or Not a/an?

You can not use 'no' with nouns that have ungradable meanings.
By 'ungradable meaning', we mean nouns that are either something or another. They don't have a comparative meaning.

A carrot is not a fruit.

Do not say: A carrot is no fruit.

A turtle is not a fish.

With nouns that have gradable meanings, you can use both 'no' and 'not'. They mean the same.

Mike is no idiot. He's actually a genius. = Mike is not an idiot. He's actually a genius.

'Idiot' is gradable. Someone can be more of an idiot than someone else.

Answering a Question with 'No'

We often use 'no' to answer a yes-no question, or to agree with a negative statement. Do not use 'not' in these cases.

A : Are you going out?

B : No. (Do not say: Not.)

Common Expressions with No

We use 'no' in some common fixed expressions such as:

no way
no chance
no good
no idea
no problem

-'Can you help me carry this bag?' +'No problem.'

-'Do you think she'll agree?' +'No way.'

Review

There are two ways to make a sentence negative. One is to add not to the verb and the other is to add some terms to the noun or pronoun that imply negative meaning and therefore negate the whole sentence.

The terms are:

No:

No oil is left in the pan.

None of:

None of his friends answered his letters.

Nobody:

Nobody likes living alone in a small cottage like this.

No one:

No one had the permission to leave the class.

None:

"How many shots have you had?" "I had none."

Nothing:

Nothing would make me happy at the moment.

Nowhere:

They had nowhere to go when their house was burnt down.

Comments

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What Are Negative Nouns and Pronouns?
Negation with 'No'
Negation with 'None of'
Negative Pronouns
No or Not Any?
No or Not a/an?
Answering a Question with 'No'
Common Expressions with No

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