I have no more than 20 dollars in the purse.

The second sentence means you have exactly $20 and you wish to stress that it's a small amount. The other three all mean you have between $0 and $20. The third version is less common but certainly correct. You might use it with a pause after, "I have - - " while you check to see.

AvangiThe second sentence means you have exactly $20 and you wish to stress that it's a small amount. The other three all mean you have between $0 and $20. The third version is less common but certainly correct. You might use it with a pause after, "I have - - " while you check to see.

Thanks, Avangi.

But my grammar book states that the first

If you say, "I have only two friends," its quite different from saying, "I have no more than two friends." In the first case you're sure of the two, and in the second case you may have only one. In my opinion, "only" eliminates all other possibilities rather than placing a limit. If you say, "You may take only two cookies," you might mean it's okay to take just one, but I believe technically yo

Thanks, Avangi.

Just to make sure, so basically the first and the third are about the same to you, right? Maybe I need more native speakers' opinions about this.

Good morning, 'holic,

Yes, to me "no more than" & "not more than" are identical in meaning, although I can't hear myself using the second version. In the matter of "only," since I seem to be taking issue with your manual I'd really welcome more opinions.

Best wishes, - A.

I agree with Avangi.

The first and third are the same. The second says you have exactly $20. The first and third imply you could have less.

Grammar GeekI agree with Avangi.

The first and third are the same. The second says you have exactly $20. The first and third imply you could have less.

Thanks, GG.

To make sure, is it your gut feeling that the first and the third are the same or is it based on the definition of a dictionary? My grammar books asserts that "no more th

Nothing more than 41 years of exposure to American English.

Grammar GeekNothing more than 41 years of exposure to American English.

Thanks, GG.

You mean only 41 years of exposure to AE, but sometimes the stuff in a dictionary is totally different from what we think.

And sometimes American English - or Australian English, or Finnish English - will have subtle difference that others don't recognize, or will combine things as being equal where others see a distinction.

And sometimes the stuff in the dictionary is just never used. Remember the "brunet" discussion.