Many things that are self-evident in the Dutch language for the Dutch are very difficult for people who want to learn Dutch as a second language (NT2). An example of such a problem is the use of ‘none’ or ‘not’ to deny something. This article explains step by step when the word ‘none’ is used.
The use of no
When do you use no to deny anything?
No is only used to deny a noun (noun) that in General meaning is used. For all other cases you use not.
Substantive (noun): a thing, human or animal. You can there ?? the ??, ?? it?? or a?? put before
You can verify a noun general is through the sentence affirmative to make.
- As in the affirmative the word a before the noun comes, it is general
- If there is no article before the noun in the affirmative, it is also general
In these cases you use no to deny the word.
Examples
Negative | Affirmative |
---|---|
We don’t want tea | We want tea (no item) |
He didn’t buy any shoes | He bought shoes (not an item) |
I don’t have a book with me | I have a book with me |
He doesn’t want to buy a car | He wants a buy a car |
In these cases the noun is generally used and you use the word no
Words between none and the noun
There can be three kinds of words between none and the noun:
- An adjective
- An adjective reinforced by an adverb
- A specific counting word
Adverbium (adverb): a word that says something about a verb, an adjective or some other adverb
Determined counting word: a word that indicates a number, a number
Examples
- I don’t want green tea. (adjective)
- This is not a well-written book. (adjective reinforced by an adverb)
- He doesn’t own two cars. (indefinite counting word)
No after there
No can also be used independently after the word there.
Examples:
- Do you have a bicycle? No, I don’t have one. (meaning: no, I don’t have a bike)
- Are there any cookies left? No, there are no more. (meaning: no, there are no more cookies)