A Lesson in None
Before assuming that you have nothing at all to learn about the word none, consider the following questions:
· Should you say none is or none are?
· Do the words none and never ever belong together?
· Is none an acceptable substitute for no one?
Of all the four-letter words in the English language, none is among the most notorious for tripping up speakers and writers. Seemingly a straightforward term that babies understand and toddlers utter, none has a way of creeping into sentences and making smart adults appear uneducated.
Taking a short lesson in none goes a long way in preventing grammatical errors:
1. Although more commonly a pronoun, none also serves as an adverb.
2. Synonyms for none as an adverb are not at all and in no way.
- The teacher was none too happy about her students’ poor performance.
- The found hiker is none the worse for wandering in the woods all night.
3. Synonyms for none as a pronoun are not any, no part, and not one.
- Although we were hoping to see deer on the trail, not one was in sight.
- Although we were hoping to see deer on the trail, none was in sight.
- Bobby had candy, but he did not give any to Mary.
- Bobby had candy, but he gave none to Mary.
- No part of that story is true.
- None of that story is true.
4. Style manuals prefer that writers use not one instead of none as the subject.
- Not one meets the requirements. PREFERRED
- None meets the requirements.
5. None is not a proper substitute for no one or nobody. Not one is acceptable.
- No one is coming over. PROPER
- Not one [of them] is coming over. PROPER
- None is coming over. IMPROPER
- Nobody wants to come. PROPER
- Not one [of the girls] wants to come. PROPER
- None wants to come. IMPROPER
6. None takes both singular and plural forms. Determine if none refers to a singular or plural noun in order to pair it with a singular or plural verb accordingly.
- I planted twenty rose bushes last season and none are blooming.
- I need one volunteer and none has surfaced.
- Any ideas? None come to mind.
7. Do not pair none/none of with a negative verb or adverb, which would present a double negative.
- Any ideas? None don’t come to mind. WRONG
- Any ideas? None come to mind. RIGHT
- None of the paint wasn’t good. WRONG
- None of the paint was good. RIGHT
- I never get none of the jokes. WRONG
- I get none of the jokes. RIGHT
- I never get any of the jokes. RIGHT
8. When using none of (meaning not one of) as the subject in formal writing, use the singular verb.
- None of the chapters was interesting to the class.
- None of the ingredients is organic.
9. When referring to two people or things, use neither of instead of none of.
- After John and I exchanged business cards, none of us knew what to say. WRONG
- After John and I exchanged business cards, neither of us knew what to say. RIGHT
- None of the two houses we toured has a basement. WRONG
- Neither of the two houses we toured has a basement. RIGHT
Any questions remaining? I hope you have none! If you do, please feel free to contact me!
My best,
Sallie W. Boyles, a.k.a. Write Lady
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