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Common mistake no vs not

No vs Not

One common mistake that many English learners make is confusing the use of "no" and "not". While these two words may seem similar, they actually have different functions in a sentence and are used in different contexts. Understanding the difference between "no" and "not" is essential for clear and accurate communication in English.

Usage of "No"

"No" is used as a determiner or an adverb to indicate the absence or negation of something. It is often used to give a negative response or answer to a question or statement:

  • Question: Do you have any siblings?
  • Response: No, I don't have any siblings.

In this example, "no" is used to negate the presence of siblings. It indicates that the person does not have any siblings.

Usage of "Not"

"Not" is an adverb that is used to form the negative of a verb, adjective, or adverb. It is used in combination with the verb "to be" or auxiliary verbs such as "do", "does", "did", "have", "has", "had", "will", "shall", "would", "should", "can", "could", "may", "might", or "must". Here are some examples:

  • Sentence: I am not going to the party tonight.
  • Sentence: She does not like vegetables.
  • Sentence: They did not study for the exam.

In these examples, "not" is used to negate the verb "going", the adjective "like", and the verb "study". It indicates the absence or denial of the action or state mentioned in the sentence.

Linguix grammar checker can help identify mistakes and provide suggestions for using "no" and "not" correctly in your writing.

no vs not mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    She could no hear you.

    Correct:
    She could not hear you.

  • Incorrect:
    She does no understand.

    Correct:
    She does not understand.

  • Incorrect:
    I would no do this.

    Correct:
    I would not do this.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not time for experiments.

    Correct:
    There is no time for experiments.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not circuit board that works.

    Correct:
    There is no circuit board that works.

  • Incorrect:
    Unfortunately there is not fast way to update it.

    Correct:
    Unfortunately there is no fast way to update it.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not data about Ecuador.

    Correct:
    There is no data about Ecuador.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not sufficient data to establish the safety of chiropractic manipulations.

    Correct:
    There is no sufficient data to establish the safety of chiropractic manipulations.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not coolant in the oil.

    Correct:
    There is no coolant in the oil.

  • Incorrect:
    Where there's not dirt there's piles of crap.

    Correct:
    Where there's no dirt there's piles of crap.

  • Incorrect:
    So, we can't say that there is not plan in place righ now.

    Correct:
    So, we can't say that there is no plan in place righ now.

  • Incorrect:
    I can’t find it listed in the Federal Register so there is not final ruling on it.

    Correct:
    I can’t find it listed in the Federal Register so there is no final ruling on it.

  • Incorrect:
    As I said before, when working with containers, there is not need to stuff to much into the same image.

    Correct:
    As I said before, when working with containers, there is no need to stuff to much into the same image.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not past, no future; everything flows in an eternal present.

    Correct:
    There is no past, no future; everything flows in an eternal present.

  • Incorrect:
    I have some projects in mind that I want to pursue but there is not AC power nearby.

    Correct:
    I have some projects in mind that I want to pursue but there is no AC power nearby.

  • Incorrect:
    I have had many comments already and there is not doubt that this will lead to a new wave of Enron purchases of Mercedes.

    Correct:
    I have had many comments already and there is no doubt that this will lead to a new wave of Enron purchases of Mercedes.

  • Correct:
    There is not enough milk.
  • Correct:
    There is not even a semblance of proof.
  • Correct:
    And there is not even enough water.
  • Correct:
    I hope that what is described here is not NERC's functional model.
  • Correct:
    Translation here is not fundamental.
  • Correct:
    Let me know if anything in here is not clear.
  • Correct:
    The light here's not good for reading.
  • Correct:
    There is not just one method to discovering one's hair type.
  • Correct:
    Well, the weather here is not getting better.
  • Correct:
    In short, there’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution for distributing AUI.
  • Correct:
    There is not intended to be any other reason to craft orbs, so it’s inefficient by design.
  • Incorrect:
    There are not good.

    Correct:
    There are no good.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not similarity between her name and my email.

    Correct:
    There is no similarity between her name and my email.

  • Incorrect:
    In North Africa, there are not jaguars.

    Correct:
    In North Africa, there are no jaguars.

  • Incorrect:
    There is not set timetable for a decision.

    Correct:
    There is no set timetable for a decision.

  • Incorrect:
    You said Jeff Skilling left for "personal reasons" and there were not hidden financial problems.

    Correct:
    You said Jeff Skilling left for "personal reasons" and there were no hidden financial problems.

  • Correct:
    There are not enough words.
  • Correct:
    There are not so many teachers here.
  • Correct:
    There is not much hope.
  • Correct:
    There's not going to be a party.
  • Correct:
    The hospital there is not huge.
  • Correct:
    The folks that work there are not mechanics ad they don’t know what they are doing.
  • Correct:
    Naomi died in 1956, and she did not have a kaddish at her funeral because there were not ten Jewish men present.
  • Correct:
    There is not left one man to seven women, and everywhere there are widows to still-living husbands.
  • Incorrect:
    I'm no going to complain.

    Correct:
    I'm not going to complain.

  • Incorrect:
    It is no nice with the roof open.

    Correct:
    It is not nice with the roof open.

  • Correct:
    There is to be no fraternizing with the enemy.
  • Correct:
    It is no real end-to-end encryption.
  • Correct:
    I have a cold and fever, so there will most likely be no training tomorrow.
  • Incorrect:
    I have no begun to check the results yet.

    Correct:
    I have not begun to check the results yet.

  • Incorrect:
    I have not idea for this.

    Correct:
    I have no idea for this.

  • Incorrect:
    I have not problem with a few rounds of sparrings like it was before.

    Correct:
    I have no problem with a few rounds of sparrings like it was before.

  • Incorrect:
    If so, I have not suggestions on that front.

    Correct:
    If so, I have no suggestions on that front.

  • Incorrect:
    Rust does not see the letters and has not knowledge of the problems that are involved at each house.

    Correct:
    Rust does no see the letters and has no knowledge of the problems that are involved at each house.

  • Incorrect:
    If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.

    Correct:
    If we have no peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.

  • Incorrect:
    Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not mercy, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

    Correct:
    Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have no mercy, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

  • Incorrect:
    … but today when I log in I'm told I've not apps listed.

    Correct:
    … but today when I log in I'm told I've no apps listed.

  • Correct:
    It may have been successful had not Turbo Pascal shown up for about the same price.
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