No Comment vs. No Comments – Which is Correct?

The phrases “no comment” and “no comments” are both grammatically correct in American English, but they carry distinct meanings and uses. “No comment” is typically a fixed idiom used to decline to answer a question or make a statement. “No comments” refers to the literal absence of multiple remarks or observations.

No Comment or No Comments – Which is Correct?

Both “no comment” and “no comments” are correct and valid phrases, but they are used in different contexts. The distinction lies in their grammatical function and the nuance of their meaning. “No comment” functions as a fixed phrase or idiom, essentially an interjection or a noun phrase meaning “I decline to make a statement.” It implies a deliberate refusal to speak on a matter. “No comments,” on the other hand, is a literal plural noun phrase meaning “zero remarks or observations.” It’s used when discussing the quantity of feedback or input.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think about the context of a reporter asking a question. If a public figure says, “No comment,” they are making a single, definitive refusal to speak. It’s a singular, fixed response. If you’re checking a blog post and see “No comments yet,” it literally means there are zero individual remarks from readers. Use “no comment” when you mean “I’m not saying anything,” and “no comments” when you mean “zero individual remarks have been made.”

Understanding such nuanced distinctions is crucial, much like when you need to Compare vs. Contrast other closely related terms.

Word/Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
No comment	Interjection, Noun Phrase	A refusal to speak or make a statement.	When asked about the merger, the CEO simply replied, “No comment.”
No comments	Noun Phrase	Zero remarks, observations, or feedback.	The teacher received no comments on the survey results.

How to Use No Comment

“No comment” is primarily used as an idiom to indicate an unwillingness to discuss a particular topic. It’s a way of shutting down a line of questioning or declining to offer an opinion or information. It can be used formally in legal or journalistic contexts, or informally in everyday conversation. The tone is often neutral or evasive, implying that the speaker has something to hide, or simply that they are not authorized or willing to speak.

Example 1: During the press conference, the spokesperson repeatedly stated, “No comment,” regarding the ongoing investigation.

Example 2: When I asked my friend about his new haircut, he just shrugged and said, “No comment.”

Example 3: The official report concluded with “no comment” on the controversial policy, leaving many questions unanswered.

Etymology of the word No Comment

The phrase “no comment” emerged in the early 20th century, gaining prominence in journalistic and legal contexts. It is a straightforward combination of the negative determiner “no” and the noun “comment,” which itself comes from the Old French commenter and Latin commentari, meaning “to interpret” or “to remark upon.” Its evolution into a fixed idiom reflects a need for a concise way to refuse public statement.

How to Use No Comments

“No comments” is a straightforward plural noun phrase, meaning “zero comments.” It is used when referring to the quantity of remarks, feedback, or observations. This phrase is common in digital contexts (like blog sections or social media posts) where user input is expected, but also in formal settings when summarizing a lack of feedback. It simply states a literal count of zero for individual comments.

Example 1: The online article currently has no comments, indicating low reader engagement.

Example 2: After the presentation, the moderator asked if there were any questions or comments, but received no comments from the audience.

Example 3: Despite the controversial announcement, the company’s social media post received no comments for the first hour.

Etymology of the word No Comments

The phrase “no comments” is a direct and literal pluralization of “comment,” combined with the negative determiner “no.” As with “no comment,” “comment” traces its roots to Latin commentari. The plural form “comments” naturally refers to multiple observations or remarks. The phrase “no comments” therefore simply signifies the absence of these multiple remarks, without the idiomatic nuance of “no comment.”

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify the distinction between “no comment” and “no comments.”

• Fixed Phrases and Idioms: “No comment” is an example of a fixed phrase or idiom, where the meaning of the whole phrase is not simply the sum of its individual words. These phrases often have a specific, established use that diverges from their literal interpretation.
• Count Nouns and Pluralization: “Comments” is the plural form of the count noun “comment.” Count nouns refer to items that can be counted individually (one comment, two comments). The use of “no” before a plural count noun (like “no comments”) simply indicates a quantity of zero.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In a classic movie scene, a celebrity hounded by paparazzi says with a smirk, “No comment, darling, absolutely no comment.”
• A news report from June 2026 stated, “When pressed for details on the new policy, the minister’s office issued a terse statement: ‘No comment.’“
• A popular blog post about the latest tech gadget had hundreds of shares but, surprisingly, no comments from readers.
• The company’s quarterly financial report included a section for stakeholder feedback, noting, “Despite widespread distribution, there were no comments received regarding the environmental impact statement.”
• In a novel, a detective warns a suspect, “You have the right to remain silent, or you can say ‘no comment‘ to all questions.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. When asked about the rumors, the senator simply replied, “__________.”
2. The teacher asked for feedback on the assignment, but received __________ from the students.
3. The blog post about the new restaurant has garnered many likes, but surprisingly, __________ so far.
4. Despite the controversial topic, the panel concluded with the moderator stating, “We have __________ on this matter.”
5. I tried to get more information from him, but his only response was a firm “__________.”

Answer Key

1. no comment
2. no comments
3. no comments
4. no comments
5. no comment

No Comment Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
No statement	A refusal to issue any formal declaration or remark.
Mums the word	An idiom meaning “keep quiet” or “don’t say anything.”
Silent	Refraining from speech or noise.
Declined to comment	Formally refused to offer an opinion or information.

No Comments Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
No feedback	Absence of evaluations, responses, or suggestions.
No input	Lack of contributions or information provided.
No remarks	Absence of observations or statements.
Zero observations	A literal count of no recorded remarks or perceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “no comment” ever be pluralized?
No, “no comment” is a fixed idiom and is not typically pluralized. If you mean multiple instances of someone saying “no comment,” you would say “he offered no comment on several occasions,” or “there were multiple ‘no comment’ responses.” You would not say “no comments” in this idiomatic sense.

Question 2: Is “no comments” always negative?
Yes, “no comments” always indicates a lack or absence of remarks, which is inherently a negative quantity (zero). However, the implication might not always be negative in tone; sometimes, “no comments” can be a neutral observation, such as “The document received no comments during the review period.”

Question 3: In what situations should I definitely use “no comment” over “no comments”?
You should definitely use “no comment” when you are refusing to answer a question, make a statement, or provide information about a particular topic. It’s an active decision to remain silent, often in response to an inquiry. For instance, a politician might say “no comment” about a scandal.

Conclusion

The distinction between “no comment” and “no comments” is crucial for clear and precise communication. While both phrases are grammatically correct, “no comment” serves as a powerful, idiomatic refusal to speak, often implying discretion or evasion. Conversely, “no comments” is a literal count, indicating the complete absence of remarks or feedback. Understanding this nuance ensures you convey your intended message accurately. Pro Tip: Always consider whether you are declining to speak or simply noting an absence of input; this will guide you to the correct phrase and maintain your professional reputation for linguistic accuracy.