Key Difference – No vs Know
No and know are two homophones: they have different meanings and spellings, but the same pronunciation. No is the opposite of yes and is used as a determiner, adverb, noun, and exclamation. Know, which means to have knowledge of something, is a verb. This is the key difference between no and know.
What Does Know Mean?
Know is always a verb. Its past tense is knew and past participle is known. To know means:
To have knowledge
I know that you are going to leave town tomorrow.
He knows this book by heart.
They know French, English, Chinese and Spanish.
To be aware of
I know what I’m doing.
They know something is going to happen tonight.
To be familiar or acquainted with
He knows her father.
I’d know your voice anywhere.
I know that voice, where have I seen him before?
What Does No Mean?
No is a determiner, adverb, exclamation and a noun. It can never be used as a verb. No is the exact opposite of yes. No is used to negate something (to make something negative) or to give a negative response. no is mainly used as a determiner and an exclamation.
Determiner:
No two women are alike.
I’ll return in no time.
That’s no excuse.
No man would want to see his wife with another man.
Exclamation:
Oh, no! I spilled my drink.
‘This is very interesting.’ ‘No, it’s not.’
‘Do I look fat in this dress?’ ‘No, you look gorgeous.”
Oh,no! I forgot to call my parents.
Now that you know the difference between no and know try to identify the incorrect words in the following sentences.
- I know that he said no to the offer.
- Know smoking is allowed within this building.
- I know her husband.
- Know, I won’t make any sound.
- I no all his tricks.
The use of no and know should be corrected in sentence 2, 4 and 5.
What is the difference between No and Know?
Verb:
No is not a verb.
Know is a verb.
Grammatical Categories:
No is used as an exclamation, determiner, noun, and adverb.
Know is only used as a verb.
Meaning:
No is used to negate a sentence.
Know means to have knowledge, to be aware or to be acquainted.
Image Courtesy: “Paletta Grande – Podium Sign, No Climbing On Scoop” by Pietro Sorrento (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr“WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW WON’T HURT YOU” – NARA – 516133 – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia