wanderkind
Joined: 04 Mar 2014
Posts: 32
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 Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:53 pm Post subject: Re: Any difference between no more than and not more than? |
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| yffjcn wrote: |
Is there any difference between no more than and not more than?
In this sentence: There is room for no more than three cars.
Does it mean the room is only for 3 cars? No, it means there is room for 3 cars, or 2 cars, or 1 car. Equal to or less than 3 cars.
or : There is room for not more than three cars. This sentence would be written "There isn't room for more than three cars."
Does it mean the room is only for less than 3 cars? (The second sentence also means 'equal to or less than 3 cars')
Is the same with " no less than" and "not less than"?
Thanks a lot! |
LONG STORY SHORT: In my opinion, use 'no more than'. Avoid 'not more than'.
In part of a larger sentence, all the cases I can think of would use 'no more than'. When you use 'not more than' it's awkward, and the 'not' should be with the verb.
There can't be more than 3.
There isn't space for more than 9 or 10 people in here.
Alone, as a response to a question, I think you could use either, since, as far as I understand, they are the same in function.
"How many apples are in the fridge?"
"Not more than 6." "No more than 6."
If you want to get really picky...maybe...
'No more than' = can be anything at or below 3
Not more than = eliminate the possibility of anything greater than 3
But...those mean the same thing! Also, I'm pretty sure I only ever use "No more than". If "not more than" is used commonly somewhere it could be regional, or just personal preference? |
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