Grammar‎ > ‎

When to use no and not

No vs. Not

No and not are both words we use to show negativity. It can be confusing for someone who is learning English to know when to use them.

Not is used to make a verb negative while no is used as an adjective to make a noun negative.


Therefore, No is before the noun while not is after the auxiliary verb.

  • I do not want any suffering.
  • I want no suffering.
  • He doesn't have any time
  • He has no time.

Here are some negative adverbs:

never, rarely, seldom, hardly ever, barely ever


Mr Johnson's English Language Classroom

Meet Your English Teacher


Click here to read about
Mr. Johnson

I have taught English as a Foreign or Second language for over ten years in private schools and private classes in offices and homes.