I. none 1 S1 W2 /nʌn/ BrE AmE pronoun
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: nan , from ne- 'not' + an 'one' ]
1 . not any amount of something or not one of a group of people or things:
I wish I could offer you some cake but there’s none left.
Although these were good students, none had a score above 60.
She waited for a reply, but none came.
Even an old car is better than none.
none of
Despite her illness, she had lost none of her enthusiasm for life.
I know what people are saying – but none of it is true.
None of my friends phones me any more.
none at all/none whatsoever
‘Was there any mail?’ ‘No, none at all.’
2 . will/would have none of something ( also be having none of something ) used to say that someone refuses to allow someone to do something or to behave in a particular way:
We offered to pay our half of the cost but Charles would have none of it.
3 . none but somebody literary only a particular person or type of person:
a task that none but a man of genius could accomplish
4 . none other than somebody used to emphasize that the person involved in something is famous, impressive, or surprising:
The mystery guest turned out to be none other than Cher herself.
⇨ ↑ nonetheless , ⇨ second to none at ↑ second 1 (5), ⇨ bar none at ↑ bar 3 (2)
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GRAMMAR
When you are using none of before a plural noun or pronoun, you can use a plural or singular verb after it. You should use a singular verb in formal writing:
▪
None of us care (OR cares) what happens to him.
▪
None of us is able to escape the consequences of our actions.
► Do not use another negative word (eg 'not') with none :
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We got 3 points and they got none (NOT they didn’t get none).
▪
I didn’t want any of them (NOT I didn’t want none of them).
none, neither
Use none to talk about a group of three or more things or people:
▪
None of my friends came.
To talk about two things or people, use neither :
▪
Neither of my parents wanted me to marry him.
II. none 2 BrE AmE adverb
1 . none the worse/better etc (for something) not any worse, better etc than before:
She seems none the worse for her experience.
2 . none the wiser not having any more understanding or knowledge about something than you had before:
I was none the wiser after his explanation.
3 . none too not at all:
I was none too pleased to have to take the exam again.