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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > I ´m confused!
I ´m confused!
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stevenji
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I ´m confused!
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There is a multiple choice like this:
Charles was alone at home, with _________ looking after him.
A. someone B. anyone C. not one D. no one
The answer is "not one", but I don �t quite understand what �s the difference between "not one" and "no one", and don �t you think "no one" is also proper here?
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5 Mar 2010
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roneydirt
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not one is incorrect. It would be" with no one looking after him." |
5 Mar 2010
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colibrita
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Yep, Roneydirt �s right. No wonder you were confused, Stevenji!
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5 Mar 2010
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mjpa
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Yes, I agree with roneydirt and colibrita. The correct answer is "no one" undoubtely. |
5 Mar 2010
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stevenji
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Hehe:)Than you, I see now. There�re some mistakes in the web. |
5 Mar 2010
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libertybelle
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Roneydirt is correct.
The only way the answer could be correct using not one - would be if the sentence said:
Charles was alone at home, with not one single person around to look after him.
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5 Mar 2010
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RabbitWho
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"no one" is a word which somehow has never been combined so that it looks like a word. (Or I should say it functions as a word)
It is the opposite of "someone". For this reason you often see it misspelled as noone or no-one.
As liberty-belle said it means the same as "not one person" .
Someone means the same as "one (non-specific) person"
None of us has actually managed to explain the grammar to you yet, perhaps look it up in a grammar book.
"not one" has to go with something, eg. "not one chair, not one table, not one cat, not one person"
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5 Mar 2010
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Zora
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"No" goes with adjectives/plural nouns - "no blue houses are found here". / "no animals are allowed in my house."
"Not" - with singular nouns - "Not a house that is blue can be found on this street." / "Not an animal, nor a dirty child may enter my house..."
More or less that is a general rule...
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5 Mar 2010
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Mariethe House
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I do like your example, Linda!!
"Not an animal, nor a dirty child may enter my house..." 
Have a nice week end!!
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5 Mar 2010
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Zora
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- Mariethe... I was tired and this week, I �ve had "bathroom issues" with my little boys and their dreadful aim! LOL
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5 Mar 2010
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RabbitWho
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I would prefer "Neither an animal nor a dirty child..."
but I had a disagreement about this with someone recently and it turns out the other way is acceptable:
Usage Note:
When using neither in a balanced construction that negates two
parts of a sentence, nor (not or) must be used in the
second clause: She is neither able nor (not or) willing to go. Similarly,
when negating the second of two negative independent clauses, nor
(not or) must be used: He cannot find anyone now, nor does he
expect to find anyone in the future; Jane will never compromise with
Bill, nor will Bill compromise with Jane. Note that in these
constructions, nor causes an inversion of the auxiliary verb and
the subject ( does he ... will Bill ...). However, when a verb is
negated by not or never, and is followed by a verb phrase
that is also to be negated (but not an entire clause), either or
or nor can be used: He will not permit the change, or (or nor) even consider
it. In noun phrases of the type no this or that, or is
actually more common than nor: He has no experience or
interest (less
frequently nor interest) in chemistry. Or is also more
common than nor when such a noun phrase, adjective phrase, or
adverb phrase is introduced by not: He is not a philosopher or
a statesman. They were not rich or happy. See Usage Notes at neither, or1.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/NOR
But anyway that �s straying off the point...
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5 Mar 2010
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