difference between no + singular and no + plural

grammar - No + singular/plural noun + singular/plural verb [closed]

(Which of the following phrases is grammatically correct?

no animal is

no animal are

no animals is

no animals are

)

• The second and third are NEVER used. Whether you use 'no animal is', or 'no animals are' depends on whether you are talking in the singular or plural.

no + plural/singular noun

(I have a doubt. Would you use a singular or a plural noun after "no". Here is my context:

- .... has no criteria

- .... has no criterion)

• It depends on context. If you would only expect to have one, then it is singular: "I have no home" otherwise it will be plural: "There are no cars on the street"

• Not necessarily, LadyPris. Don't you say: He has no parents left?

Plural or Singular noun after "No

(I find it very difficult to decide whether I should use plural/singular noun after the word "no". For example, some friends told me we should say "No problem", but some others said it's correct to say "No problems". 

There are a lot of confusing cases. Look at the one below:

(1) There is no photocopier in my office.

(2) There are no photocopiers in my office.

Which one is correct? Singular:(1) or Plural:(2)? Or both? Could someone help?)

• Either could be used. The context permits that. If on the other hand you are responding to the question: "Is there a photocopier in your office?", then (1) is better than (2).
  
  If I was going to be very pedantic, you should use (2) as you refer to plural photocopiers in the first part of the sentence, but then I could also say I would not use either, but rather "There are two photocopiers in my wife's office but none in mine."