not any
/nɑt ˈɛni/phrase★Intermediate💡 none
formalinformal
none; not a single one
There were not any tickets available for the concert.
There were no tickets available for the concert.
She found not any reason to stay.
She found no reason to stay.
💡
Used in negative statements to emphasize the total absence of something.
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Related Phrases
📖Word Origin
From Old English 'not' (negative particle) + 'any' (indefinite pronoun). The construction has been used since Middle English to negate indefinite nouns.
📝Usage Notes
Common in written English and formal speech. In casual conversation, speakers often replace it with 'no' or 'none'. Avoid using it with plural nouns that already imply quantity, e.g., say 'no apples' instead of 'not any apples'.
English Dictionary