0

From Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary.

No I didn't read your e-mail. I'm no snoop.

Can I say:

No I didn't read your e-mail. I'm not a snoop.

If I can, what's the differences between them?

Laurel
  • 15,632
  • 3
  • 42
  • 73
A Learner
  • 719
  • 7
  • 16

2 Answers2

0

In your example, they are the same. But the "no" is more general.

I have no water (OK) ... I have not a water (bad)

I have no bananas (OK) .... I have not a banana (perhaps) ... I have not a single banana (OK)

I have no idea (OK) .... I have not an idea (perhaps)

GEdgar
  • 705
  • 4
  • 9
0

'No' is a determiner that quantifies a noun (zero snoops).

'Not' is an adverb that negates the verb.

The two are equivalent because if you are in a set that contains no snoops then you must be outside the set of all snoops.

amI
  • 483
  • 2
  • 6