If you speak Spanish, English negatives can feel… tricky. In Spanish, you can say "no veo nada" and it's perfect. In English, you might be told, "Don't use double negatives!" So what do you actually say? No? Not? Don't? Nothing? Nobody? Relax. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which one to choose and why.
The Big Picture: No vs. Not
Start here. These two words do different jobs:
- no: a determiner (goes before a noun) or a one-word answer.
- not: a negator used with verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or whole phrases.
Think of it like this:
- Use no + noun: "no problem", "no time", "no idea".
- Use not + verb or adjective: "not going", "not easy", "not true".
Quick examples
- I have no money. (no + noun)
- I’m not hungry. (not + adjective)
- She did not call. (not with a verb)
- No worries! (fixed phrase)
The Core Rule of English Negatives
In standard English, avoid double negatives in the same clause. Usually, you use one negative word per clause:
- Correct: "I don’t know anything."
- Less standard/marked: "I don’t know nothing." (common in some dialects, but not standard)
In Spanish, "No sé nada" has two negatives and is correct. In English, say: "I don’t know anything."
Building Negatives with Verbs
In English, verbs in the present and past usually need a helper (auxiliary) for negatives.
Present simple
- I/you/we/they don’t + base verb: "We don’t like spicy food."
- he/she/it doesn’t + base verb: "She doesn’t work on Sundays."
Note: The main verb stays in base form after don’t/doesn’t: not "doesn’t works" → "doesn’t work".
Past simple
- all persons: didn’t + base verb: "They didn’t call yesterday."
Be verb
The verb "be" doesn’t need a helper.
- I’m not ready. / He isn’t here. / They aren’t tired.
Modal verbs
Use not directly after the modal:
- can → cannot/can’t: "I can’t swim."
- should → shouldn’t: "You shouldn’t drive so fast."
- will → won’t: "He won’t come."
No vs. Any with Nouns
When you negate a noun idea, English prefers one of these two patterns:
- no + noun
- "There is no milk."
- "We have no time."
- not + any + noun (often more neutral in sentences)
- "There isn’t any milk."
- "We don’t have any time."
Both are correct. "No + noun" is shorter and sometimes stronger; "not any" is common with verbs.
Tip for Spanish speakers: Translate "no hay…" as either "There is no…" or "There isn’t any…" depending on style/flow.
Nobody / No one / Nothing / Nowhere vs. Anybody / Anything / Anywhere
These pairs answer different contexts:
- Nobody / No one: nadie
- Nothing: nada
- Nowhere: en ningún lugar
Versus the "any-" forms used in negatives and questions:
- anybody/anyone: alguien (en preguntas), nadie (en negativas con don’t/doesn’t/didn’t)
- anything: algo (en preguntas), nada (en negativas)
- anywhere: en algún lugar (en preguntas), en ningún lugar (en negativas)
Examples:
-
Negative with "any": "I don’t know anybody here."
-
Using "no-" words: "I know nobody here." (more formal/emphatic)
-
Negative with "any": "She didn’t buy anything."
-
Using "no-" words: "She bought nothing."
-
Negative with "any": "We can’t go anywhere tonight."
-
Using "no-" words: "We can go nowhere tonight."
Both patterns are correct. Don’t use them together in the same clause (avoid: "I don’t know nobody").
Short Answers: No vs. Not
When answering a yes/no question, use no by itself or with a sentence:
- "Are you coming?" - "No." / "No, I’m not."
- "Do you like sushi?" - "No, I don’t."
Avoid answering with just "Not." Say "No" or use a full negative sentence.
Common Fixed Expressions with "No"
- No problem.
- No worries.
- No way!
- No idea.
- No offense.
- No rush.
These are natural and friendly. They use "no" + noun (or set phrases).
Tricky Spots and Exceptions
1) After "be" with nouns or adjectives
Use not, not no:
- "This is not a joke." (not: "This is no a joke.")
- "The movie was not interesting."
But you can say: "This is no joke." (idiomatic = serious!)
2) Before -ing verbs
Use not:
- "Not going is sometimes the best option."
- "He left without not saying goodbye" is wrong → "He left without saying goodbye."
3) Emphasis with "no"
"No" can sound stronger, especially in headlines or warnings:
- "No phones allowed."
- "No entry."
- "No sugar added."
4) Double negatives in real life
You’ll hear them in music, movies, and some dialects: "I ain’t got no money." Understand them, but for standard English, stick to one negative.
Spanish-to-English Conversions You’ll Use Every Day
- "No tengo nada" → "I don’t have anything" / "I have nothing."
- "No veo a nadie" → "I don’t see anyone" / "I see nobody."
- "No hay problema" → "There’s no problem" / "No problem."
- "No es fácil" → "It’s not easy."
- "No fui a ningún lado" → "I didn’t go anywhere" / "I went nowhere."
Mini Test: Pick the Best Option
Choose the best sentence.
- I (don’t / doesn’t) like coffee.
- There is (no / not) milk.
- She (didn’t / doesn’t) buy anything yesterday.
- I have (no / not) idea.
- We can go (anywhere / nowhere) if you want.
Answers:
- don’t 2) no 3) didn’t 4) no 5) anywhere
Quick Reference: When to Use Each Form
- no + noun: no time, no money, no idea
- not + adjective/adverb/verb: not ready, not very good, not going
- don’t/doesn’t/didn’t + base verb: don’t like, doesn’t work, didn’t call
- any- words in negatives/questions: don’t have any, didn’t see anything, anywhere to eat?
- no- words for emphasis/neutral statements: nothing, nobody, nowhere
Pronunciation tips (for Spanish speakers)
- no: American /noʊ/, British /nəʊ/. Don’t say a flat /no/. Make a clear diphthong: start at a pure "o" and glide slightly up at the end.
- not: American /nɑt/ (open back vowel), British /nɒt/. Avoid /not/ with a closed Spanish "o". Drop your jaw more and move the tongue back.
- don’t: /doʊnt/. Keep the same GOAT vowel as in no.
- doesn’t: /ˈdʌzənt/. The vowel is /ʌ/ (as in sun), not /u/.
- nothing: /ˈnʌθɪŋ/. Careful with /θ/ (tongue between teeth, no vibration).
- nobody: /ˈnoʊˌbɑdi/ (AmE). First syllable with /noʊ/.
- no one: /ˈnoʊ wʌn/; anyone: /ˈɛniˌwʌn/; anything: /ˈɛniˌθɪŋ/; anywhere: /ˈɛniˌwɛr/.
Mini drill:
- no /noʊ/ – note /noʊt/ – don’t /doʊnt/
- not /nɑt/ – hot /hɑt/ – job /dʒɑb/
- does /dʌz/ – doesn’t /ˈdʌzənt/ – nothing /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
Tip: In fast American speech, the t in "not at" can flap: "not at all" → [ˌnɑɾ ə ˈdɔl]. Focus on getting the vowels right first.
If you want extra practice with these vowel sounds and /θ/, visit our pronunciation practice section: /en/practice/pronunciation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it "no" or "not"?
Use "no" before a noun (no problem) and "not" before adjectives/verbs (not ready, not going).
Can I say "I don’t know nothing"?
It exists in some dialects but is not standard. Say: "I don’t know anything" or "I know nothing."
What’s the difference between "nobody" and "anybody"?
"Nobody" is used in statements; "anybody" appears in negatives and questions with an auxiliary (don’t/doesn’t/didn’t).
If this was useful, practice your ears and rhythm in our pronunciation exercises. Clear grammar + strong pronunciation = confident English.