"I have not any" vs "I have no"

[bandXtrb]

Okay, so what's better English:

"I have no idea," which is what I usually hear -- or, "I have not any idea", which someone told me is the correct way of saying it, but I rarely hear it used.

 

[gopunk]

bah didn't read the post

 

[dafatha00]

"I have not any idea" is rarely used anymore. I've heard it used but only in old books. English language and structure constantly changes through each generation. I would say that "I have no idea" is more standard and correct.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Speaking of changing english. I heard a radio interview with an editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. He gave the skinny on some of the newest additions. Among them:

"IT" will be added to signify something that doesn't live up to the hype. Talk about a 180 on what's "It"
"Coke is It! Oh wait, it's not!"

Ugh, can't remember the other two he mentioned. Both had me thinking... "huh?"

 

[glenn1]

Actually, the better English would be, "I do not know," but of your two alternatives, i'd say the usage of "I have no" is the more common usage. And since clarity of communication is the ultimate goal of language, i would say the more common usage should be the one used 🙂

 

[Elledan]

'I do not know.' is obviously the best choice, although 'I have no idea.' would do fine either.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

I'd use "I don't have any idea." As I frequently don't. 😀

 

[voodooguy]

"have not" is distinctly British. You might hear a Brit say something like "I have not the foggiest notion."

You will not hear any self-respecting American speak that way. We say "I don't have a fu©king clue."

 

[Elledan]

<< "have not" is distinctly British. You might hear a Brit say something like "I have not the foggiest notion."

You will not hear any self-respecting American speak that way. We say "I don't have a fu©king clue." >>


Hehe... Americans, the most civilized society on this planet 😛

Ranking high up with 'Aussies' and Canadians 😀

 

[FelixDeCat]

My little nephew used to say "I dont have one idea". I thought it was cute.

 

[KennyTheGreat]

hmm
I would say
"I don't got no idea b"
something like that 😛

 

[Radiohead]

No no no, this is how you say it: "I have no idea... eh?" 😀

Hehe... Americans, the most civilized society on this planet. Ranking high up with 'Aussies' and Canadians

We Canadian's are very civilized and "learned" ahem... eh 😉

 

[bjc112]

or in our school...

"i aints gotz nones" 😛 😉