no
/nəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · [nˈo] /noʊ/ (ame, ipa) · [nˈo] /ˈnō/ (ame, mw) · [nˈo] /nəʊ/ (ame, ipa)
no — determiner
1. put before a plural or uncountable noun to say that the amount is zero or that t
put before a plural or uncountable noun to say that the amount is zero or that the thing is absent in that situation.
No buses came to the village after the bridge closed.
no + plural noun for zero quantity
We have no milk left, so Jin bought soy milk.
No students raised their hands when the principal asked.
Lucía found no mistakes in the final report.
- not any
same meaning, but expressed with a separate negative word
- some
shows that at least a small amount exists
文法句型
no + plural noun
no + uncountable noun
用法筆記
Used directly before the noun without an article. Compare with not any, which says the same thing in a more analytic way.
常見錯誤
2. written before a noun on a sign or notice to show that people must not do that a
written before a noun on a sign or notice to show that people must not do that action or bring that thing.
The clinic door said No visitors after eight o'clock.
No + noun in a posted rule
A red sign read No parking beside the school gate.
The museum posted a clear No flash sign near the paintings.
Campers ignored the No fires notice and paid a fine.
- forbidden
more formal and usually used in full sentences, not short signs
- allowed
marks permission instead of prohibition
文法句型
No + noun on a sign
No + -ing form on a sign
用法筆記
Common on signs, labels, and public notices. The noun usually names the forbidden action or item without a full sentence.
常見錯誤
no — adverb
1. used as a spoken answer when you deny something, refuse something, or say that t
used as a spoken answer when you deny something, refuse something, or say that the correct answer is negative.
No, I didn't call Noor after the meeting ended.
No, + full clause for direct denial
When the nurse asked about allergies, Caleb answered no.
answer no after a yes/no question
No, this seat isn't taken, so you can sit here.
Shanti smiled and said no when the waiter asked about more tea.
- yes
the direct affirmative opposite
文法句型
No, + clause
answer no
用法筆記
Usually stands alone or starts the reply clause. Distinguish from exclamation/1, which is more forceful and often tries to stop an action.
常見錯誤
2. used before a comparative or similar phrase to show that there is not even a sma
used before a comparative or similar phrase to show that there is not even a small difference in degree.
The new sofa is no bigger than the old one.
no + comparative + than
Her second answer was no clearer than the first.
This shortcut is no faster during the morning rush.
The new rule made school lunches no cheaper for parents.
- not at all
close in force, but less tied to comparative grammar
- much
can strengthen a comparative instead of cancelling it
文法句型
no + comparative + than
no + more/less + adjective
用法筆記
Most common with comparatives such as no bigger, no clearer, or no cheaper. It marks zero improvement or zero difference, not a small improvement.
3. placed after a whole statement when the speaker wants the listener to confirm it
placed after a whole statement when the speaker wants the listener to confirm it or show agreement.
The train leaves from platform four tonight, no?
statement + no? for confirmation
We need two extra chairs for dinner, no?
You sent the file to Lucía already, no?
- right
more neutral as a tag question in many varieties of English
文法句型
statement + no?
用法筆記
This tag is more conversational and regionally marked than the neutral tag right? It is mainly used when the speaker expects agreement.
no — noun
- nosingular
- nosplural
1. the answer or decision that shows someone is refusing, denying, or not agreeing.
the answer or decision that shows someone is refusing, denying, or not agreeing.
After weeks of interviews, the team finally heard a no.
hear a no as a noun phrase
Talia expected a yes, but the landlord gave a no.
Mr. Hsu's first no did not stop the children from asking again.
The proposal met an immediate no from both partners.
- yes
the opposite answer or decision
文法句型
hear a no
get a no
give a no
用法筆記
Often appears after hear, get, or receive when the focus is the answer itself rather than the exact words spoken.
常見錯誤
2. the negative side in a formal vote, or one ballot cast for that side.
the negative side in a formal vote, or one ballot cast for that side.
The budget passed with twelve yeses and only two noes.
plural noes in vote counts
Three noes came from council members worried about taxes.
Every no delayed the plan for another month.
The chair counted one abstention, six yeses, and four noes.
- negative vote
full phrase with the same voting meaning
- yes
the vote in favor
文法句型
a no
noes and yeses
用法筆記
Common in formal votes, meeting minutes, and spoken counts. The plural noes is much more usual than nos in this meaning.
no — exclamation
1. said loudly or firmly when you want to stop something at once or make a strong r
said loudly or firmly when you want to stop something at once or make a strong refusal.
No! Put the knife down and step away slowly.
No! to stop an action immediately
No, you may not ride your bike on the stairs.
No! I told the dog not to jump on guests.
No, we're not buying fireworks for the apartment balcony.
- stop
names the action more directly, but does not always express refusal
文法句型
No!
No, + command or refusal
用法筆記
More abrupt and forceful than adverb/1 because it pushes back against an action, not just a question.
2. said when new information surprises you or seems hard to believe.
said when new information surprises you or seems hard to believe.
No! Did Jin really lose the tickets again?
No! for sudden surprise
No, that can't be the same child from last year.
No! You finished the whole puzzle in ten minutes?
- really
common for surprised reaction, but less strongly negative in feeling
文法句型
No!
No, that can't...
用法筆記
The feeling is surprise rather than refusal. Speakers often stretch the vowel or add another comment showing disbelief.
3. said when you reject another person's polite refusal and keep insisting on helpi
said when you reject another person's polite refusal and keep insisting on helping, giving, or inviting.
No, you're staying for dinner even if the bus is late.
No, + insistence after another person's refusal
No, let me carry the boxes; your wrist still hurts.
No, I won't let you walk home alone tonight.
- come on
can also show insistence, but is broader and often more playful
文法句型
No, you're ...
No, let me ...
用法筆記
Often follows another person's polite refusal and signals that the speaker is insisting out of kindness or urgency.
4. said before a hesitant answer when the true reply is mixed, uncertain, or only p
said before a hesitant answer when the true reply is mixed, uncertain, or only partly negative.
No, I might move next year, but nothing is decided.
No, before a qualified or uncertain reply
No, not exactly; the shop opens closer to noon.
No, I don't think so, but I haven't checked yet.
- not exactly
more explicit about partial disagreement
文法句型
No, not exactly
No, I don't think so
用法筆記
Often followed by a softer phrase such as not exactly or I don't think so, showing that the answer is mixed rather than fully negative.
no — adjective
- nopositive
- noercomparative
- noestsuperlative
1. used before a singular noun to say that someone or something does not really des
used before a singular noun to say that someone or something does not really deserve that name or is not a strong example of it.
Caleb is no expert, but he can fix a leaking tap.
be no + singular noun for 'not really a true X'
That flimsy tent is no shelter in a mountain storm.
This shortcut is no solution to the traffic problem.
Anong is no fool, so she checked the contract twice.
- hardly
can also weaken a description, but is not tied to this noun pattern
文法句型
be no + singular noun
用法筆記
Common before singular count nouns in judgments such as no expert or no fool. It means the label does not truly fit, not that the person or thing is absent.