Looking back through the Quick Lesson and the accompanying discussion I still can’t tell the difference between “none arrived” and “no one arrived”. Aren’t they just two ways of saying the same thing? (Albeit, the second being my preference.)
What’s the difference?
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
What’s the difference?
None -- nobody of a group (aucun, aucun d'entre eux)
nobody -- nobody at all (personne)
My friends arrived late and none got on the train. -- Some other people might have gotten on the train but none of my friends did.
My friends arrived late and nobody got on the train. -- For whatever reason, nobody got on the train, not even myfriends.
Bonjour Richard,
To supplement Chris's answer:
None (of them):
No one - Nobody:
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !
I suppose if you’re talking about things rather than people, “none arrived” makes sense. Perhaps that’s what I’m missing?
Richard, in another context ‘ all my friends went to the station, but none got on the train ‘ or ‘…. no one got on the train’.
The distinction is not just for objects - depends on context and intended meaning whether none (of them), no one, or nothing, is the right expression.
Same in French as in English, I think.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level