Distinguishing No One & Nobody

Noone vs Nobody

Although people often use no-one and nobody interchangeably, there is a difference between the two pronouns in terms of usage. Both words have negative meanings, and while no-one always refers to a singular subject, nobody can sometimes be used in a plural context.

What does Nobody mean?

Nobody is often used in a similar manner as “no-one” or “nothing.” For example, in the sentence “Nobody knows the truth,” the word nobody means “not a single person.” It is not followed by the preposition “of.” Generally, nobody is used in the present tense.

What does No-One mean?

No-one, on the other hand, is never used with the preposition “of.” For example, in the sentences “No-one wished me a happy birthday,” “No-one came in time,” and “No-one told the truth,” the word no-one is not followed by “of.” In some cases, no-one can be replaced by “none,” with or without the preposition “of.” No-one is typically used in the past tense but can also be used in the present tense when the speaker is certain of their statement.

Key Takeaways

• No-one always refers to a singular subject, while nobody can sometimes be used in a plural context.
• No-one is typically used in the past tense, while nobody is generally used in the present tense.
• No-one can be replaced by “none,” but nobody cannot be replaced by “none.”