Not and No
2020-06-06
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1This week we received a question from Candy in China. Candy writes,
2Question: I wonder what is the difference between "not" and "no"?
3Today when I do my homework, I encounter the question.
4I do not know if it is "no need to do something" or "not need to do something" - Candy, China
5Answer:
6Dear Candy,
7Thank you for writing to us.
8We do not usually answer homework questions, but I will try to explain the difference between the two expressions.
9The word "not" is an adverb, which means it modifies - or changes the meaning of -- a verb.
10"Not" is often used with modal verbs, like "should," "can" and "might." Here are two examples.
11You should not go to the park today.
12We might not have time to go before dark.
13The phrase you saw, "not need to do something," looks like it is part of a sentence where "need" is used as a verb. Here are some examples.
14You do not need to clean the room.
15I have not walked the dog today.
16They are not working on the project.
17In those sentences, "not" modifies the verbs clean, walk, and work. They show how "not" can be used as an adverb.
18The word "no" can be used as an adverb, adjective, or noun.
19In your sentence, "There is no need to do something," "no" is used as an adjective, modifying the noun "need."
20The verb in that sentence is a form of the word be: "is."
21Here are examples of "no" being used as an adjective:
22The store has no eggs on the shelf.
23People with no internet connection at home can go to a library.
24"No" is also often used as an adverb. For example, your parents may have told you,
25No, you cannot have any more candy.
26In that sentence, "no" answers the question, "Can I have more candy?" I am wondering if that is where you got your nickname, Candy.
27By the way, I hope you have "no problems" with doing your homework now.
28What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
29And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
30I'm Jill Robbins.
1This week we received a question from Candy in China. Candy writes, 2Question: I wonder what is the difference between "not" and "no"? Today when I do my homework, I encounter the question. I do not know if it is "no need to do something" or "not need to do something" - Candy, China 3Answer: 4Dear Candy, 5Thank you for writing to us. We do not usually answer homework questions, but I will try to explain the difference between the two expressions. 6Not 7The word "not" is an adverb, which means it modifies - or changes the meaning of -- a verb. "Not" is often used with modal verbs, like "should," "can" and "might." Here are two examples. 8You should not go to the park today. 9We might not have time to go before dark. 10The phrase you saw, "not need to do something," looks like it is part of a sentence where "need" is used as a verb. Here are some examples. 11You do not need to clean the room. 12I have not walked the dog today. 13They are not working on the project. 14In those sentences, "not" modifies the verbs clean, walk, and work. They show how "not" can be used as an adverb. 15No 16The word "no" can be used as an adverb, adjective, or noun. In your sentence, "There is no need to do something," "no" is used as an adjective, modifying the noun "need." The verb in that sentence is a form of the word be: "is." 17Here are examples of "no" being used as an adjective: 18The store has no eggs on the shelf. 19People with no internet connection at home can go to a library. 20"No" is also often used as an adverb. For example, your parents may have told you, 21No, you cannot have any more candy. 22In that sentence, "no" answers the question, "Can I have more candy?" I am wondering if that is where you got your nickname, Candy. 23By the way, I hope you have "no problems" with doing your homework now. 24Your questions 25What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 26And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. 27I'm Jill Robbins. 28Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 29________________________________________________________________ 30Words in This Story 31park - n. a large public green space 32shelf - n. an object that provides a surface for the storage of objects 33library - n. a building or room containing books and other publications, and sometimes videos 34nickname - n. a name that is different from your real name but is what your family and friends call you when they are talking to you or about you 35Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.