no more
B1Informal, semi-formal. More common in spoken language but acceptable in written prose. Can be used emphatically.
Definition
Meaning
A phrase used to indicate the complete cessation or absence of something, or that something has reached its end.
Can also express a refusal to tolerate something further, a sense of finality, or a lack of additional quantity. It is often used to impose a limit or conclusion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"No more" is primarily a noun phrase functioning as a determiner or adverb. It carries a definitive, often negative, connotation of termination. It is not typically used to describe a temporary pause.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant structural differences. The phrase "no more" is equally common in both varieties. However, associated idioms or colloquial expressions may vary (e.g., 'not any more' is slightly more common in BrE).
Connotations
Identical in core meaning and emotional weight. Both use it for definitive endings.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English according to some corpora, but the difference is marginal. 'No more' and 'not any more' are in complementary distribution with 'no longer', which is more formal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There is/are no more [noun]I want no more [noun]We have no more [noun]No more [noun]!Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No more Mr. Nice Guy”
- “say no more (understood)”
- “no more, no less”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We can tolerate no more delays on this project." (Setting a firm deadline)
Academic
"After the treaty, there was no more open conflict in the region." (Describing a historical cessation)
Everyday
"Sorry, there's no more milk." (Informing of absence)
Technical
Used in formal logic and mathematics (e.g., "no more than n").
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The village pub is no more; it closed last year.
- He announced he would sing no more.
American English
- The old factory is no more; it was demolished.
- I'll wait for you no more.
adverb
British English
- She works here no more.
- You can worry about that no more.
American English
- She doesn't work here any more.
- You can worry no more.
adjective
British English
- We have no more biscuits, I'm afraid.
- There will be no more meetings this week.
American English
- We have no more cookies, sorry.
- There will be no more classes this semester.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is no more juice.
- No more talking, please!
- I have no more pencils.
- We can accept no more applications; the deadline has passed.
- After the argument, they spoke no more.
- Is there any more cake? No, no more.
- The era of cheap fossil fuels is no more.
- He vowed to suffer the insults of his critics no more.
- The policy allowed for no more than three absences.
- The author, having said his piece, wrote no more on the subject.
- The ceasefire meant there would be no more indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas.
- It was a masterpiece of concision—no more, no less than what was required.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sign on an empty box: 'NO' + 'MORE' inside it. It's a command to the box to stop having contents.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS A CONTAINER; the container is now empty. / EXISTENCE IS PRESENCE; the thing is no longer present.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as "больше нет" in formal writing where "no longer" might be better. "No more" often implies quantity, while "no longer" implies time.
- Do not confuse with "not more" which is a comparison (not more than). "No more" is an absolute statement.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective directly before a singular countable noun without an article (e.g., "I have no more book" is wrong; correct: "I have no more books" or "I have no more of the book").
- Confusing "no more" (negative) with "any more" (in questions/conditionals).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'no more' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are largely interchangeable in meaning. 'No more' is often more emphatic and final, while 'not any more' can sound slightly less formal. 'Not any more' is typically used after an auxiliary verb (e.g., 'I don't go there any more'), whereas 'no more' can stand alone or precede a noun.
Yes, especially for dramatic or emphatic effect. For example: 'No more shall we kneel before tyranny!' or 'No more chocolate for you!'
It is neutral but leans towards informal or semi-formal. In highly formal writing, 'no longer' or 'not any longer' is often preferred when referring to time, and 'none remaining' or 'exhausted' might be used for quantity.
You don't directly negate it, as it is already negative. To express the opposite idea, use positive terms like 'more', 'still some', 'additional', or 'continue to'.