nobody + affirmative verbNobody is the subject and already makes the sentence negative. Do not add not.
Negative Pronouns
A2Nobody, nothing, nowhere, and never make a clause negative by themselves. Use one negative word, not two.
What you'll learn
- Use nobody for zero people.
- Use nothing for zero things.
- Use nowhere for zero places.
- Use never for zero times.
- Keep one negative word in the clause.
Structure
nothing + affirmative verbNothing can be the subject. The verb stays affirmative because nothing already gives the negative meaning.
subject + affirmative verb + nowhere (+ to + verb)Nowhere often comes after the verb and means no place. Keep the verb affirmative.
subject + never + affirmative verbNever gives the negative meaning for time. Do not add don't, doesn't, didn't, or won't.
Build a sentence
Meaning
Context
Nobodyknowsthe answer
Nobody knows the answer.
Use nobody for zero people. Do not add another negative word.
When to use
No person
Use nobody when zero people do something: Nobody answered the phone. Nobody knows Tom here.
No thing
Use nothing when zero things exist, happen, or are available: Nothing changed. I heard nothing.
No place
Use nowhere when there is no destination or location: We have nowhere to park. Anna went nowhere after work.
No time
Use never for zero times in life or in a routine: Maria never drinks coffee. I have never been there.
Markers
nobodynothingnowherenever
In contrast
vs indefinite-pronouns
Indefinite pronouns keep the clause open: somebody, something, somewhere, ever. Negative pronouns close it: nobody, nothing, nowhere, never.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Nobody didn't call Lisa.
Correct
Nobody called Lisa.
Nobody already makes the clause negative, so did not is extra.
Wrong
I saw nothing nowhere.
Correct
I saw nothing.
Use one negative word for the clause. Nothing is enough here.
Wrong
We can't go nowhere.
Correct
We can go nowhere.
Nowhere already gives the negative meaning, so can't creates a double negative.
Wrong
She doesn't never eat breakfast.
Correct
She never eats breakfast.
Never already means at no time. Do not add doesn't in the same clause.
Wrong
Nowhere called Maria.
Correct
Nobody called Maria.
Called Maria needs a person as the subject, so use nobody, not nowhere.
Common misconceptions
❝ Two negative words make the sentence stronger and more correct. ❞
In standard English, one negative word is enough in one clause: Nobody called, Nothing happened, We went nowhere, I never smoke.
❝ If I use nothing, I still need not because nothing is only the subject. ❞
Nothing already makes the clause negative. Say Nothing changed, not Nothing didn't change.
Skills in this rule (6)
USE_NOBODY_FOR_NO_PERSONw5Use nobody when no person exists in the situation
Choose nobody to say that zero people do, know, come, or answer. It already makes the clause negative, so do not add another negative verb form.
USE_NOTHING_FOR_NO_THINGw5Use nothing when no thing exists or happens
Choose nothing to say there is zero thing, idea, sound, or action result. After nothing, the verb is affirmative because nothing already carries the negative meaning.
USE_NOWHERE_FOR_NO_PLACEw4Use nowhere when no place fits
Choose nowhere to say there is no destination, location, or place to go, sit, park, or stay. It is a single negative form, so the rest of the clause stays affirmative.
USE_NEVER_FOR_NO_TIMEw5Use never to say not at any time
Choose never for zero times in life, in a period, or in a routine. Do not add don't, doesn't, didn't, or won't in the same clause.
KEEP_ONE_NEGATIVE_WORDw5Keep one negative word in the clause
With nobody, nothing, nowhere, or never, the clause is already negative. Use a positive verb form after them instead of adding another negative word.
MATCH_WORD_TO_MEANINGw4Match the negative word to person, thing, place, or time
Choose nobody for people, nothing for things, nowhere for places, and never for time. The right word depends on what is missing: person, thing, place, or time.