He is [not a/no] teacher.

Question

1. He is not a teacher. 2. He is no teacher.

A Chinese professor of English says: #1 denotes that his occupation is not teaching. #2 indicates that he lacks the skills needed for teaching, whether he is a teacher or not.

An English tutor from Ireland says: #2 means he is not a teacher, but it would be used to refer to somebody who thinks he is a teacher, or is trying to teach. http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic12112.html

Who do you think is right?

Jamesglick · Accepted Answer

Here's a little excerpt that might help:

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" was a phrase spoken during the 1988 United States vice-presidential debate by Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Lloyd Bentsen to Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator Dan Quayle. Jack Kennedy was a reference to John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. Since then, the words "You're no Jack Kennedy," or some variation on Bentsen's remark, have become a part of the political lexicon as a way to deflate politicians or other individuals perceived as thinking too highly of themselves.

So It would appear that both of them are right to a certain degree. I would qualify the English Tutor's explanation like this, "means he is not a good/qualified teacher, but it should be used to refer to someone who thinks he is a better teacher than he really is.

When someone says, "He's no teacher," I would say he is indicating that the person is a teacher but thinks he is a better teacher than he really is. If this is true, than you could say that this teacher lacks the skills needed to be a good teacher, thus the Chinese professor of English is partially correct as well.

He is [not a/no] teacher.

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1 Answers

Jamesglick