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Using no, none, nobody, nothing, nowhere, neither and similar negative words.
Practice: build the sentences →Negative words such as no, none, nobody, nothing, nowhere, neither, and either can express negation without using not in the main clause.
These words have different grammatical functions and must be combined with the appropriate noun, verb, or clause structure.
No food is left.
Еды не осталось.
"No" is a negative determiner used before the noun "food".
None of them came.
Никто из них не пришёл.
"None" is a negative pronoun replacing a noun phrase.
Nobody knows the answer.
Никто не знает ответа.
"Nobody" is a negative pronoun meaning no person.
Nothing happened.
Ничего не случилось.
"Nothing" is a negative pronoun meaning no thing.
We have nowhere to go.
Нам некуда идти.
"Nowhere" is a negative adverb meaning no place.
No is a determiner used directly before a noun to express complete absence.
For example, There is no food and We have no money.
There is no food in the fridge.
В холодильнике нет еды.
"No" comes directly before the noun "food".
We have no money.
У нас нет денег.
"No" modifies the noun "money".
She has no friends in this city.
У неё нет друзей в этом городе.
"No" is used before the plural noun "friends".
There are no tickets left.
Билетов не осталось.
"No" precedes the plural noun "tickets".
I have no idea.
Понятия не имею.
"No" comes before the noun "idea".
No + noun can often express the same basic meaning as not + any + noun.
For example, I have no money is equivalent in meaning to I do not have any money.
I have no money.
У меня нет денег.
"No" + noun expresses complete absence.
I do not have any money.
У меня нет денег.
"Not any" expresses the same meaning in a verbal negative.
There is no milk.
Молока нет.
"No" before the noun "milk".
There isn't any milk.
Молока нет.
"Not any" is used with the auxiliary "isn't".
She has no time.
У неё нет времени.
"No" before the uncountable noun "time".
No can occur before both plural countable nouns and singular or uncountable nouns.
For example, no books, no students, no time, and no information.
There are no books on the shelf.
На полке нет книг.
"No" is used before the plural countable noun "books".
There is no student in the classroom.
В классе нет ни одного студента.
"No" is used before the singular countable noun "student".
We have no time.
У нас нет времени.
"No" is used before the uncountable noun "time".
There is no information available.
Информации нет.
"No" is used before the uncountable noun "information".
No students came to the lecture.
Ни один студент не пришёл на лекцию.
"No" is used before the plural countable noun "students".
None replaces a noun phrase and means not one or not any of a previously identified set.
For example, I invited five people, but none came.
I invited five people, but none came.
Я пригласил пять человек, но никто не пришёл.
"None" replaces the noun phrase "of the five people".
She has many friends, but none are close.
У неё много друзей, но никто из них не близок.
"None" means not any of them.
I wanted some cake, but none was left.
Я хотел торта, но его не осталось.
"None" refers to no amount of cake.
He asked for help, but none was available.
Он попросил помощи, но её не было.
"None" replaces the noun phrase "no help".
There were several options, but none seemed right.
Было несколько вариантов, но ни один не казался правильным.
"None" means not one of the options.
None of is followed by a noun phrase or pronoun and means not any member or amount of the specified group.
For example, None of the students passed and None of them agreed.
None of the students passed the exam.
Ни один из студентов не сдал экзамен.
"None of" is followed by the noun phrase "the students".
None of them agreed with the plan.
Никто из них не согласился с планом.
"None of" is followed by the pronoun "them".
None of the food was eaten.
Ничего из еды не было съедено.
"None of" is used with the uncountable noun "food".
None of my friends like coffee.
Никто из моих друзей не любит кофе.
"None of" is followed by the noun phrase "my friends".
None of the information was useful.
Никакая из информации не была полезной.
"None of" is used with the uncountable noun "information".
The verb after none can vary according to whether the expression refers to individuals or an amount, with plural agreement common when individual members are emphasized.
For example, None of the students are ready is common, while None of the money is available uses singular agreement.
None of the students are ready.
Ни один из студентов не готов.
Plural verb "are" is common when individual members are emphasized.
None of the money is available.
Никакие деньги недоступны.
Singular verb "is" is used with the uncountable noun "money".
None of the books were returned.
Ни одна из книг не была возвращена.
Plural verb "were" agrees with the plural noun "books".
None of the water was wasted.
Никакая вода не была потрачена зря.
Singular verb "was" is used with the uncountable noun "water".
None of the people have arrived.
Никто из людей не прибыл.
Plural verb "have" is common with "people".
Nobody and no one refer to no person and normally function as singular pronoun subjects.
For example, Nobody knows the answer and No one was available.
Nobody knows the answer.
Никто не знает ответа.
"Nobody" is a singular pronoun meaning no person.
No one was available to help.
Никого не было, чтобы помочь.
"No one" is a singular pronoun meaning no person.
Nobody came to the party.
Никто не пришёл на вечеринку.
"Nobody" functions as the subject.
No one likes being criticized.
Никто не любит, когда его критикуют.
"No one" takes a singular verb "likes".
Nobody has seen him today.
Никто не видел его сегодня.
"Nobody" is used with the auxiliary "has".
Nobody can often express the same basic meaning as not + anybody.
For example, Nobody called is equivalent to Nobody called / There wasn't anybody who called depending on structure; I did not see anybody is an alternative with not.
Nobody called.
Никто не звонил.
"Nobody" expresses negation without "not".
There wasn't anybody who called.
Не было никого, кто звонил.
"Not anybody" is used with the negative auxiliary "wasn't".
I did not see anybody.
Я никого не видел.
"Not anybody" is an alternative to "nobody" as object.
Nobody was in the room.
В комнате никого не было.
"Nobody" is the subject of the clause.
I didn't meet anybody new.
Я не встретил никого нового.
"Not anybody" is used with the auxiliary "didn't".
Nobody and no one normally take singular verb forms in standard English.
For example, Nobody knows and No one wants to leave.
Nobody knows the truth.
Никто не знает правды.
"Nobody" takes the singular verb "knows".
No one wants to leave early.
Никто не хочет уходить рано.
"No one" takes the singular verb "wants".
Nobody has finished the assignment.
Никто не закончил задание.
"Nobody" is used with the singular auxiliary "has".
No one is perfect.
Никто не идеален.
"No one" takes the singular verb "is".
Nobody was late.
Никто не опоздал.
"Nobody" takes the singular verb "was".
Nothing refers to no thing and functions as a negative pronoun.
For example, Nothing happened and I found nothing.
Nothing happened yesterday.
Вчера ничего не случилось.
"Nothing" is a negative pronoun meaning no thing.
I found nothing in the box.
Я ничего не нашёл в коробке.
"Nothing" functions as the object of "found".
There is nothing to worry about.
Не о чем беспокоиться.
"Nothing" is the subject of the clause.
Nothing seems to be working.
Кажется, ничего не работает.
"Nothing" takes the singular verb "seems".
She said nothing about the plan.
Она ничего не сказала о плане.
"Nothing" is the object of "said".
Nothing can often express the same basic meaning as not + anything.
For example, I saw nothing is similar in meaning to I did not see anything.
I saw nothing.
Я ничего не видел.
"Nothing" is a negative pronoun.
I did not see anything.
Я ничего не видел.
"Not anything" is used with the auxiliary "did not".
She said nothing.
Она ничего не сказала.
"Nothing" functions as the object.
She didn't say anything.
Она ничего не сказала.
"Not anything" is an alternative negative construction.
There is nothing left.
Ничего не осталось.
"Nothing" is the subject of "is".
Nowhere refers to no place and can function as a negative adverb or pronoun-like expression.
For example, We have nowhere to go and I could find it nowhere.
We have nowhere to go.
Нам некуда идти.
"Nowhere" is a negative adverb meaning no place.
I could find it nowhere.
Я нигде не мог это найти.
"Nowhere" functions as an adverb of place.
There is nowhere to sit.
Нигде негде сесть.
"Nowhere" is used with "to sit".
She went nowhere yesterday.
Она вчера никуда не ходила.
"Nowhere" modifies the verb "went".
Nowhere is safe from the storm.
Нигде не безопасно от шторма.
"Nowhere" is the subject of the clause.
Nowhere can often express the same basic meaning as not + anywhere.
For example, I could not find it anywhere is equivalent in basic meaning to I found it nowhere.
I could not find it anywhere.
Я нигде не мог это найти.
"Not anywhere" is used with the negative auxiliary "could not".
I found it nowhere.
Я нигде это не нашёл.
"Nowhere" expresses the same basic meaning.
We are not going anywhere.
Мы никуда не идём.
"Not anywhere" is used with "are not".
We are going nowhere.
Мы никуда не идём.
"Nowhere" is a negative adverb.
She didn't go anywhere.
Она никуда не ходила.
"Not anywhere" is used with "didn't".
Neither refers to not one and not the other of two people or things.
For example, Neither answer is correct.
Neither answer is correct.
Ни один из двух ответов не правильный.
"Neither" means not one and not the other of two.
Neither of the two options is good.
Ни один из двух вариантов не хорош.
"Neither of" is used with a plural noun phrase.
Neither book is interesting.
Ни одна из двух книг не интересна.
"Neither" is a determiner before the singular noun "book".
Neither car is fast.
Ни одна из двух машин не быстрая.
"Neither" modifies the singular noun "car".
Neither child likes vegetables.
Ни один из двух детей не любит овощи.
"Neither" takes a singular verb "likes".
Neither of refers to not one and not the other member of a specified pair or group of two.
For example, Neither of the answers is correct and Neither of them came.
Neither of the answers is correct.
Ни один из ответов не правильный.
"Neither of" is followed by the noun phrase "the answers".
Neither of them came to the party.
Никто из них не пришёл на вечеринку.
"Neither of" is followed by the pronoun "them".
Neither of the restaurants is open.
Ни один из ресторанов не открыт.
"Neither of" is used with a singular verb "is".
Neither of my sisters lives here.
Ни одна из моих сестёр здесь не живёт.
"Neither of" is followed by the noun phrase "my sisters".
Neither of the proposals was accepted.
Ни одно из предложений не было принято.
"Neither of" takes the singular verb "was".
Neither ... nor coordinates two negative alternatives and indicates that both are excluded.
For example, Neither John nor Mary came.
Neither John nor Mary came.
Ни Джон, ни Мэри не пришли.
"Neither ... nor" excludes both alternatives.
Neither the teacher nor the students were happy.
Ни учитель, ни студенты не были счастливы.
"Neither ... nor" coordinates two negative alternatives.
She likes neither tea nor coffee.
Она не любит ни чай, ни кофе.
"Neither ... nor" negates both objects.
Neither you nor I am responsible.
Ни ты, ни я не ответственны.
"Neither ... nor" with two pronouns.
He speaks neither French nor German.
Он не говорит ни по-французски, ни по-немецки.
"Neither ... nor" excludes both languages.
Either can mean one or the other in affirmative contexts and can occur at the end of negative clauses with the meaning also or as an alternative negative marker.
For example, I do not like it either.
I do not like it either.
Мне это тоже не нравится.
"Either" at the end of a negative clause means also.
She didn't call me either.
Она мне тоже не позвонила.
"Either" follows the negative clause.
They aren't coming either.
Они тоже не придут.
"Either" adds the same negative meaning.
He hasn't finished either.
Он тоже не закончил.
"Either" is used after a negative perfect clause.
We can't go either.
Мы тоже не можем пойти.
"Either" in a negative modal clause.
Either refers to one of two possibilities, while neither refers to neither of the two.
For example, Either answer is acceptable means one of the two can be accepted, while Neither answer is acceptable means neither can.
Either answer is acceptable.
Любой из двух ответов приемлем.
"Either" means one of the two possibilities.
Neither answer is acceptable.
Ни один из двух ответов не приемлем.
"Neither" means neither of the two.
You can take either book.
Ты можешь взять любую из двух книг.
"Either" offers a choice between two.
Neither book is available.
Ни одна из двух книг недоступна.
"Neither" excludes both books.
Either of them can help.
Любой из них может помочь.
"Either of" means one of the two.
Negative pronouns and determiners can make do-support or another negative auxiliary unnecessary because the negative meaning is already expressed lexically.
For example, Nobody came does not require Nobody did not come.
Nobody came.
Никто не пришёл.
"Nobody" already expresses negation; no auxiliary "did" is needed.
Nothing happened.
Ничего не случилось.
"Nothing" provides the negative meaning lexically.
None of them are here.
Никто из них не здесь.
"None" makes the clause negative without "not".
No one called.
Никто не звонил.
"No one" is a negative pronoun and does not need do-support.
Nowhere is safe.
Нигде не безопасно.
"Nowhere" is negative and requires no additional negative auxiliary.
A clause containing a negative word normally does not also need not unless a specific construction requires an additional negative element.
For example, Nobody came is standard, not Nobody didn't come when the intended meaning is simply that nobody came.
Nobody came.
Никто не пришёл.
The negative word "nobody" makes "not" unnecessary.
Nothing happened.
Ничего не случилось.
The negative word "nothing" expresses the negation.
None of the students passed.
Ни один из студентов не сдал.
"None" provides the negative meaning.
No one knows.
Никто не знает.
"No one" makes the clause negative without "not".
Nowhere is open.
Нигде не открыто.
"Nowhere" is a negative adverb.
Standard formal English normally avoids multiple negative elements when they are intended to express a single logical negation.
For example, I didn't see anybody is standard, while I didn't see nobody has a different or nonstandard interpretation depending on variety.
I didn't see anybody.
Я никого не видел.
Standard English uses "anybody" after a negative auxiliary.
I didn't see nobody.
Я никого не видел.
Nonstandard double negative; avoided in formal English.
She didn't say anything.
Она ничего не сказала.
Standard English uses "anything" after a negative auxiliary.
She didn't say nothing.
Она ничего не сказала.
Nonstandard double negative; not used in standard English.
We don't have any money.
У нас нет денег.
Standard English uses "any" after a negative auxiliary.
Negative pronouns such as nobody, nothing, and neither can function as subjects and normally control the appropriate verb form.
For example, Nobody knows, Nothing seems wrong, and Neither is correct.
Nobody knows the answer.
Никто не знает ответа.
"Nobody" is the subject and takes the singular verb "knows".
Nothing seems wrong.
Кажется, ничего не так.
"Nothing" is the subject and takes the singular verb "seems".
Neither is correct.
Ни один не правильный.
"Neither" is the subject and takes the singular verb "is".
No one was available.
Никого не было.
"No one" is the subject and takes the singular verb "was".
None of them are ready.
Никто из них не готов.
"None of" can take a plural verb when referring to people.
Negative pronouns such as nobody, nothing, and none can function as objects.
For example, I saw nobody, She found nothing, and We invited none of them.
I saw nobody.
Я никого не видел.
"Nobody" is the object of "saw".
She found nothing.
Она ничего не нашла.
"Nothing" is the object of "found".
We invited none of them.
Мы никого из них не пригласили.
"None of them" is the object of "invited".
He knows nobody here.
Он здесь никого не знает.
"Nobody" is the object of "knows".
They said nothing.
Они ничего не сказали.
"Nothing" is the object of "said".
Negative pronouns and expressions can occur after prepositions according to the normal grammatical pattern.
For example, Nobody was talking to him, I found nothing in the box, and There was nowhere to sit.
Nobody was talking to him.
Никто с ним не разговаривал.
"Nobody" is the subject; the preposition "to" is in the predicate.
I found nothing in the box.
Я ничего не нашёл в коробке.
"Nothing" is the object; "in" is a preposition of place.
There was nowhere to sit.
Нигде негде было сесть.
"Nowhere" is used with the infinitive "to sit".
She spoke to no one.
Она ни с кем не разговаривала.
"No one" is the object of the preposition "to".
We went to nowhere special.
Мы не пошли ни в какое особенное место.
"Nowhere" is used after the preposition "to".
Some negative words can be followed by infinitive constructions that describe an absence of possibility, destination, or action.
For example, There was nobody to help and We had nowhere to go.
There was nobody to help.
Не было никого, кто мог бы помочь.
"Nobody" is followed by the infinitive "to help".
We had nowhere to go.
Нам некуда было идти.
"Nowhere" is followed by the infinitive "to go".
There is nothing to do.
Нечего делать.
"Nothing" is followed by the infinitive "to do".
She had no one to talk to.
Ей не с кем было поговорить.
"No one" is followed by the infinitive "to talk to".
I have nowhere to stay.
Мне негде остановиться.
"Nowhere" is followed by the infinitive "to stay".
No longer means that something which was previously true is not true now.
For example, The shop is no longer open.
The shop is no longer open.
Магазин больше не открыт.
"No longer" means the shop was open before but is not now.
She no longer works here.
Она здесь больше не работает.
"No longer" indicates the end of a previous situation.
I no longer live there.
Я там больше не живу.
"No longer" replaces a past state.
They no longer need help.
Они больше не нуждаются в помощи.
"No longer" shows a change from a previous need.
He is no longer a student.
Он больше не студент.
"No longer" negates a former identity.
No more can indicate that something is no longer available, occurring, or permitted, depending on context.
For example, There is no more coffee and No more questions, please.
There is no more coffee.
Кофе больше нет.
"No more" indicates the coffee is finished.
No more questions, please.
Больше никаких вопросов, пожалуйста.
"No more" means no further questions.
We have no more time.
У нас больше нет времени.
"No more" indicates time is exhausted.
She wants no more trouble.
Она больше не хочет проблем.
"No more" means no additional trouble.
There are no more tickets.
Билетов больше нет.
"No more" shows the tickets are gone.
Nothing but means only and removes all alternatives except the specified thing.
For example, It was nothing but a misunderstanding.
It was nothing but a misunderstanding.
Это было не что иное, как недоразумение.
"Nothing but" means only.
He does nothing but complain.
Он только и делает, что жалуется.
"Nothing but" removes all alternatives except complaining.
She said nothing but the truth.
Она сказала только правду.
"Nothing but" means only the truth.
This is nothing but a scratch.
Это всего лишь царапина.
"Nothing but" minimizes the issue.
They did nothing but argue.
Они только и делали, что спорили.
"Nothing but" emphasizes the only action.
Nobody but means no person other than the specified person or group.
For example, Nobody but Sarah knew the answer.
Nobody but Sarah knew the answer.
Никто, кроме Сары, не знал ответа.
"Nobody but" means no person other than Sarah.
Nobody but the manager can approve it.
Никто, кроме менеджера, не может это одобрить.
"Nobody but" restricts approval to the manager.
Nobody but you can help me.
Никто, кроме тебя, не может мне помочь.
"Nobody but" identifies the only possible helper.
Nobody but the students were present.
Никого, кроме студентов, не было.
"Nobody but" excludes everyone except the students.
Nobody but John called.
Никто, кроме Джона, не звонил.
"Nobody but" means only John called.
Nothing like can express a strong contrast with or lack of resemblance to something.
For example, This is nothing like the original design.
This is nothing like the original design.
Это совсем не похоже на первоначальный дизайн.
"Nothing like" expresses a strong contrast.
The film was nothing like the book.
Фильм был совсем не похож на книгу.
"Nothing like" shows lack of resemblance.
Her new house is nothing like her old one.
Её новый дом совсем не похож на старый.
"Nothing like" contrasts two things.
The weather is nothing like it was yesterday.
Погода совсем не такая, как вчера.
"Nothing like" compares two states.
This tastes nothing like chocolate.
Это совсем не на вкус шоколада.
"Nothing like" expresses a strong difference in taste.
Neither can occur directly before a singular countable noun referring to one of two items, while retaining its negative meaning.
For example, Neither option is suitable.
Neither option is suitable.
Ни один из двух вариантов не подходит.
"Neither" is a determiner before the singular noun "option".
Neither answer is correct.
Ни один из двух ответов не правильный.
"Neither" modifies the singular noun "answer".
Neither book is interesting.
Ни одна из двух книг не интересна.
"Neither" comes before the singular noun "book".
Neither car is fast.
Ни одна из двух машин не быстрая.
"Neither" determines the noun "car".
Neither child likes vegetables.
Ни один из двух детей не любит овощи.
"Neither" is used with the singular noun "child".
No is normally used before a noun, while none replaces a noun phrase or occurs in none of constructions.
For example, No students came, but None of the students came.
No students came.
Ни один студент не пришёл.
"No" is used directly before the noun "students".
None of the students came.
Никто из студентов не пришёл.
"None of" replaces the noun phrase.
No food is left.
Еды не осталось.
"No" before the uncountable noun "food".
None of the food is left.
Ничего из еды не осталось.
"None of" before the noun phrase "the food".
No one called.
Никто не звонил.
"No one" is used for people.
No one refers to people, while none can refer to people or things within an identified set.
For example, No one answered and None of the answers was correct.
No one answered.
Никто не ответил.
"No one" refers to people.
None of the answers was correct.
Ни один из ответов не был правильным.
"None of" refers to things in a set.
No one came to the door.
Никто не подошёл к двери.
"No one" means no person.
None of the students passed.
Ни один из студентов не сдал.
"None of" can refer to people in an identified set.
No one knows.
Никто не знает.
"No one" is a singular pronoun.
Use negative words according to their grammatical function and avoid adding unnecessary negative auxiliaries or incompatible determiners.
Common mistakes include using no before an adjective instead of a noun, confusing no and none, saying nobody didn't when simple negation is intended, and confusing either with neither.
There is no food.
Еды нет.
Correct: "no" is used before the noun "food".
There is not food.
Еды нет.
Incorrect: use "no" or "not any" before a noun.
None of the students came.
Ни один из студентов не пришёл.
Correct: "none of" before a plural noun phrase.
No of the students came.
Ни один из студентов не пришёл.
Incorrect: "no" cannot be used before "of".
Nobody came.
Никто не пришёл.
Correct: "nobody" already expresses negation; no double negative.