no one and no-one - the difference

Free grammar tips, lessons and tests			Recommended purchases
This site: Grammar Monster on line	Daily tips with Grammar Monster's gadget	Daily tips with Grammar Monster on Twitter	The best grammar reference books	Grammar Monster off line	The only grammar checker we'll endorse
Common grammar errors Easily confused words Grammar terms & definitions Grammar tests Grammar lessons Search this site

NO ONE / NO-ONE

Spell 'no one' (without a hyphen) as opposed to 'no-one'.

No Hyphen

The formal spelling of 'no one' is without a hyphen.

Example:

Correct spelling of no one
(Sign in US laundry room)

Hyphen Becoming Acceptable

In recent years, the 'no-one' version has become more popular. Some grammarians condone the hyphenated version, claiming it eliminates ambiguity with 'no one' as in "No one person can overcome her power." However, the times when there would be true ambiguity are very seldom. Here is one example:

No one can will work.
(Is the subject "No one can" or "No one"?)

NO ONE IS ALWAYS RIGHT

There is notable leniency on how to write 'no one' - using a hyphen does not constitute a grammatical howler. However, let's be clear on this, the correct spelling is no one.

NOONE IS NEVER RIGHT

Nobody and nowhere have become single words. However, 'no one' has not. Noone is wrong.

Associated lessons:

Common errors and FAQs
Easily confused words
List of easily confused words