A missing noun changes the form: no batteries names the item, while none replaces it. Use none of to select zero members or zero amount from a known set.

The idea

Put no directly before a noun. Use none alone or none of before the, a possessive, a demonstrative or an object pronoun. With a mass noun, use a singular verb; with a plural set, singular or plural agreement occurs.

Examples

  • There are no empty chairs near the window.
  • We have no milk for the sauce.
  • I looked for spare batteries, but I found none.
  • None of these tickets includes a meal.
  • None of the paint is dry yet.
  • None of us can lift this box alone.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Standard English uses one negative here: I found none or I didn't find any. Do not write none chairs. For two particular items, neither is normally the clearest choice.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. There are ___ empty chairs near the window. (no / none)

    Show answer or example answer

    no

    No comes directly before the plural noun chairs. None cannot occupy that position.

  2. Choose the correct option. I looked for spare batteries, but I found ___. (no / none)

    Show answer or example answer

    none

    None replaces spare batteries, so no following noun is needed.

  3. Choose the correct option. None of ___ can lift this box alone. (us / we)

    Show answer or example answer

    us

    After of, the pronoun takes its object form: us, even when the whole phrase is the subject.

Use it today

Describe three things missing from a picnic, then rewrite one sentence with none. Name a group of friends and say what none of you can do.