"no" and "not"

    • The first sentence refers to the specific superhero "Superman" (which in this case should be capitalized.)
    The second sentence conveys that the person in question is nothing extraordinary.
     
    " He has not friend." is wrong; likewise, " He is not superman" is grammatically improper. I'd say: He has not any friend, or he has no friend. Similarly, I prefer: He is not a superman, or He is no superman.
     
    l3376876 said:
    " He has not friend." is wrong; likewise, " He is not superman" is grammatically improper. I'd say: He has not any friend, or he has no friend. Similarly, I prefer: He is not a superman, or He is no superman.
    Click to expand...

    I disagree with your comments about Superman.

    Superman is a proper noun. The name of a fictious super hero.

    Therefore:

    He is not Superman. :tick:
    He is no Superman. :tick:

    However:

    He is not a fool. :tick:
    He is no fool. :tick:
     
    Lora44 said:
    I disagree with your comments about Superman.

    Superman is a proper noun. The name of a fictious super hero.

    Therefore:

    He is not Superman. :tick:
    He is no Superman. :tick:

    However:

    He is not a fool. :tick:
    He is no fool. :tick:
    Click to expand...

    Yes, I see eye to eye with you in the context when "Superman" is capitalized. Nevertheless, we should insert an "a" in this context: "He is not a superman." Is it clear?
     
    Well I'd never use it as a common noun, only a proper one so I would always say 'He's not Superman', but yes, in your context 'a' is required.

    To give another example:

    "Is Bob good-looking?"

    "Put it this way...

    ...he's not Brad Pitt."
    ...he's no Brad Pitt."

    ...he's not a supermodel."
    ...he's no supermodel."

    If I were saying these sentences...I'd have to add something to the 'not' examples because they sound a bit strange on their own. I'd probably say 'Put it this way, he's not exactly Brad Pitt'. Likewise, 'Put it this way, he's not exactly a supermodel'. However, it shows where you need 'a' and where you don't.
     
    nasridine said:
    What is the difference between these two sentences:
    He is not [a] Superman.
    He is no superman.
    Click to expand...

    Going back to Nasridine question, I'd say that in the first sentence "not" is applied to the verb ("is not") while in the second sentence, "no" modifies the noun: "no superman" a little like "no-one", "no-body"

    Then you can't use "no" with an adjective "it is no green :cross:" -> "it is not green :tick:"

    Bye
     
    Lora44 said:
    Yes, but as I said, I, personally, would not use it as a common noun and that's why I'd always say 'He's not Superman' and why 'He's not a superman' would sound strange to my ears.
    Click to expand...

    Oh, I see. That makes good sense, Lora44.

    He's not Superman (the character). :tick:
    He's not a superman (the concept). :tick:
     
    Here is another scenario:
    Once Raymond's son was thinking about quiting his basketball team, he said: I'm no good
    What is different between "I'm not good" and "I'm no good"
     
    "I'm no good" is judgement on personal character. He thinks he has no ability to play basketball.

    "I'm not good" is more of a comment. He thinks his skills at basketball are bad (not good) , but does not necessarily think that they are worthless.

    The way i see them used "no good" is more of a comment on the person, while "not good" refers more to the skill, what they are "not good" at. So, "no good" is usually more emotional and negative.
     
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