no - plural or single?

Question

Hi,Would you please tell me which one is correct, and what are the differences in the meaning?There are no students in the class.There is no student in the class.and can I use phrases like "no students" at the beginning of a clause?No students are allowed to enter this bathroom.Thanks

Dave_anon · Accepted Answer

Hi

I think the best rule is that "no" and "none" are singular or plural depending on the number of people (or things) that you think are missing

In a classroom, there would usually be more than one student, so...

- There are no students in the class

However...

- Is the doctor free now?
- Yes, there is no patient with him at the moment

And similarly...

- Have we got any sugar?
- No, there is none

- Have we got any apples?
- No, there are none

Hope this helps

Dave

Paeez · Answer

Hi,
Thank you dear Dave,
I understand perfectly with your excellent answer. However, is it common to answer like this: No students are in the class.

Thanks

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

"No students are allowed to enter this bathroom."

This is fine. I think that some people - maybe a few decades ago - would have insisted that "nothingness" is always singular. So you must say...

"No student is allowed to enter this bathroom."

But as I said above, I prefer the modern usage, where "no" is singular or plural, according to the number that you would have expected (if there had been any!). If it's possible that a number of students might enter the bathroom if they weren't forbidden then I would go with the first version - the one that you suggest

Dave

Paeez · Answer

Thank you dear Dave,
Your answer was most helpful.

no - plural or single?

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