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 movies. = I don't ever go to the movies.

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 trash 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 purse 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 movies, 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.