[ti:Not and No] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:01.88]This week we received a question from Candy in China. Candy writes, [00:08.28]I wonder what is the difference between "not" and "no"? [00:13.56]Today when I do my homework, I encounter the question. [00:17.12]I do not know if it is "no need to do something" [00:20.84]or "not need to do something" - Candy, China [00:26.24]Dear Candy, Thank you for writing to us. [00:29.52]We do not usually answer homework questions, [00:32.28]but I will try to explain the difference between the two expressions. [00:37.28]The word "not" is an adverb, [00:40.52]which means it modifies – or changes the meaning of -- a verb. [00:45.56]"Not" is often used with modal verbs, like "should," "can" and "might." [00:52.12]Here are two examples. [00:54.20]You should not go to the park today. [00:57.32]We might not have time to go before dark. [01:00.88]The phrase you saw, "not need to do something," [01:04.96]looks like it is part of a sentence where "need" is used as a verb. [01:09.20]Here are some examples. [01:11.52]You do not need to clean the room. [01:14.40]I have not walked the dog today. [01:17.32]They are not working on the project. [01:20.96]In those sentences, "not" modifies the verbs clean, walk, and work. [01:28.36]They show how "not" can be used as an adverb. [01:31.88]The word "no" can be used as an adverb, adjective, or noun. [01:37.88]In your sentence, "There is no need to do something," [01:42.08]"no" is used as an adjective, modifying the noun "need." [01:47.76]The verb in that sentence is a form of the word be: "is." [01:53.64]Here are examples of "no" being used as an adjective: [01:58.84]The store has no eggs on the shelf. [02:02.32]People with no internet connection at home can go to a library. [02:08.68]"No" is also often used as an adverb. [02:12.36]For example, your parents may have told you, [02:17.08]No, you cannot have any more candy. [02:20.92]In that sentence, "no" answers the question, [02:25.60]"Can I have more candy?" [02:28.48]I am wondering if that is where you got your nickname, Candy. [02:33.96]By the way, I hope you have "no problems" with doing your homework now. [02:38.56]What question do you have about American English? [02:43.76]Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. [02:50.32]And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. [02:53.44]I'm Jill Robbins. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM