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by R. S. Karunaratne
Grammar patterns with 'no'
'No' can be used as an adverb or determiner.
We use 'no' to deny something or to refuse a request.
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I don’t like beef much.
No , Neither do I. |
A: You told me a lie.
B: No , I didn't.
A: May I sit here?
B: No , it is reserved.
We use 'No' to acknowledge a negative statement.
A: You don't tell lies, do you?
B: No , I don't.
A: I don't like beef much.
B: No , Neither do I.
'No' is sometimes used to express shock or disappointment.
A: I have failed in my exam.
B: Oh, No !
'No' is used for prohibitions.
No smoking.
No dogs.
No admittance
'No' is used to indicate that something is not available.
I have no money to give you.
He simply has no patience!
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I have no money to give you. |
You made no effort to pass the exam.
'No' is used to pass a judgement about somebody.
Although Marlow is popular, he is no great actor.
'No' is used to emphasize the apposite of what is expected.
Doctor, with all your treatments, the patient is no better.
Set phrases
It's no good complaining and doing nothing about your problems.
There's no point in shouting at the boss; you'll only antoganize him.
There's no use spending so much on a single meal.
While in France, I learnt French in no time. (Very quickly)
No wonder you failed the exam; you never did any homework.
There's no chance. (no possibility)
Common mistakes
His room is not bigger than mine. (Wrong)
His room is no bigger than mine. (Correct)
His car is no big. (Wrong)
His car is not big. (Correct)
There is no enough food for everybody. (Wrong)
There is not enough food for everybody.
'No' can be used as a noun.
I've had three yeses, a no , and a maybe.
The plural of 'no' is 'noes'.
The bill received 50 ayes and 40 noes .
Starters
What
prepositions are
The word 'preposition' is made up of two parts: 'pre' and 'position'.
This means prepositions tell us something about the position of a noun.
The most common prepositions of place and movement are: 'in, at, on,
to'.
Some prepositions indicate time:
at, on, in
Hints on how to use certain common prepositions.
Use 'in' with spaces.
The king lives in a castle.
We sleep in a bedroom.
There are many animals in a forest.
Children play in the park.
Use 'in' with bodies of water.
Girls are swimming in the sea.
There is a crocodile in the river.
Fish swim in the sea.
Use 'in' with lines.
The policemen stood in a row.
The old man could not walk in a straight line.
People stood in a queue to obtain tickets.
Use 'at' with places.
We could hear someone knocking at the door.
When you phoned me I was at the theatre.
I was at school with Premaratne.
Use 'at' with places on a page.
Write your name at the top of the page.
Use 'at' in groups of people.
Mala was asked to stand at the back of the class.
Use 'on' with surfaces.
There is a gecko on the wall.
Father kept his pair of spectacles on the table.
Use 'on' with small islands.
He lives on the isle of skye.
Use 'on' with directions.
Go along this lane and you will find his house on the left.
You will see the Post Office on the right.
Use 'to' with verbs of movement.
Mother goes to office on week days.
Some teachers come to school by bus.
Father goes to work in the morning.
While driving to Galle he lost control of the car.
Activity
Use prepositions in the blanks.
1. Ganguli held ......... her hand a small coin.
2. The teacher handed a book .......... me to read.
3. .......... night bats start flying.
4. Father does not go ........ work on Sundays.
5. He arrived ........ the dot.
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Key :
1. in
2. to
3. At
4. to
5. on
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