Syntax

Negation

Use not to negate a verb. Not comes after the verb to be and before other verbs (between auxiliary verbs and the main verb).

Be (adverb) + not
Auxiliary verb + not (adverb) + verb

• I am not American.
• I do not like beer.
• She is not living in Rome.
• I did not like the film.
• They will not arrive early.
• You should not drive so fast.
• I have not been to Tokyo.
• Try not to worry.

Note: not ever = never

• I never go to the cinema. = I don't ever go to the cinema.

Nobody, no one, nothing (pronouns)

• Nobody came to the party.
• I have nothing to say.

Note: nobody = no one

No (adjective) + noun

• I can think of no reason for inviting him.
• There were no people at the party.

Never (adverb) + verb

• She never takes the rubbish out.
• We never have problems.

Remember: In English we don't normally put two negation words in a sentence.

For example:

• I don't want anything.
  NOT: I don't want nothing.

• She never says anything.
  NOT: She never says nothing.

• There weren't any people at the party.
  NOT: There weren't no people at the party.

Not, no, nor, none

• Her handbag appeared to be gone, but not her glasses. Nor her passport.
• She kept none of these appointments.

We use not to make a word or phrase or clause negative.

• I go to the cinema, but not often.
• She found her glasses but not her keys.

Use no with a noun to mean not any.

• There are no tickets left.
• No buses are running today.

Use nor to follow not or no, especially after a comma or to start a new sentence.

• He can't read English, nor write it.
• I eat no meat. Nor fish. I am a strict vegetarian.

Use none to mean not a single one.

• I have seen none of his films.
• "How many of these computers work?" "None."
• None of us have been to France.