Read a sign and turn its message into an instruction.
The idea
On signs, no can precede a noun or an -ing form. For a direct instruction, use don't plus the base verb.
Examples
- No bicycles in the hall.
- No food near the exhibits.
- No running beside the pool.
- Don't feed the birds here.
- Don't block the doorway.
- No photography inside the gallery.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not put no directly before a base verb: say don't run, not no run.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. ___ swimming in the fountain. (No / Not)
Show answer or example answer
No
No introduces the prohibited activity on the sign.
Choose the correct option. ___ open the gate. (Don't / No)
Show answer or example answer
Don't
Don't makes the direct instruction negative.
Choose the correct option. No ___ on the train. (smoking / smoke)
Show answer or example answer
smoking
smoking names the activity prohibited by the sign.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. ___ swimming in the fountain. (No / Not)
Choose the correct option. ___ open the gate. (Don't / No)
Choose the correct option. No ___ on the train. (smoking / smoke)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write a sign for a shared room and a direct instruction with the same meaning.