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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Saying "No" to "have no something"
Hi,
I'm wondering about two situations we say "No" to "have no something."
#1
A: "You have no chance to get away."
B: "No. I think I do."
I think in this context, B wants to say, "No(, you are not right). I think I do (have a chance to get away)."
However, in the case below:
#2
A: "I'm just pretending"
B: "And she has no idea about what you are really doing?"
A: "Nope."
"Nope" seems to mean, "No(pe, she doesn't have any clue)."
Does this difference between the meanings of "No" all depend on the context? Or is it because the first one is an objection to a statement while the second one is an answer to a question?
I'm wondering about two situations we say "No" to "have no something."
#1
A: "You have no chance to get away."
B: "No. I think I do."
I think in this context, B wants to say, "No(, you are not right). I think I do (have a chance to get away)."
However, in the case below:
#2
A: "I'm just pretending"
B: "And she has no idea about what you are really doing?"
A: "Nope."
"Nope" seems to mean, "No(pe, she doesn't have any clue)."
Does this difference between the meanings of "No" all depend on the context? Or is it because the first one is an objection to a statement while the second one is an answer to a question?
Top answer
Rino Does this difference between the meanings of "No" all depend on the context? Yes, and it can be very puzzling when the speaker has one intention, and the listener interprets it otherwise.
- Rino Does this difference between the meanings of "No" all depend on the context?
- Yes, and it can be very puzzling when the speaker has one intention, and the listener interprets it otherwise.
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4 Answers
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RinoDoes this difference between the meanings of "No" all depend on the context?Yes, and it can be very puzzling when the speaker has one intention, and the listener interprets it otherwise.
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AlpheccaStarsYes, and it can be very puzzling when the speaker has one intention, and the listener interprets it otherwise.I see, so it may cause misunderstanding.
Thank you, AlpheccaStars!
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Rino#1A: "You have no chance to get away."B: "No. I think I do."From what I learned. B should have said "Yes, I think I do."
A:"she doesn't like you."
B:"Yes!"
I think what B meant was "Yes, she does. What you are saying is not true."
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CharmYouFrom what I learned. B should have said "Yes, I think I do."I learned so, too, but as far as I know, many native speakers do this.
That's why I was confused.
CharmYouI think what B meant was "Yes, she does. What you are saying is not true."I completely agree with you, though B may be more likely to say "Yes, she
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