Written language and conversational language are often
quite different. In fact, what's normal, common, and
acceptable in spoken language is often considered to be
unacceptable in written language. This is one of several
Hints on some of the differences.

In conversational American English, several variations on
"No" are often heard:

Hm-umm.

It's difficult to show the pronunciation of this variation
on "No" by using normal writing. It's made with the
mouth closed. The vowel is nasal (made through the nose).
There's a glottal stop (a kind of "catch" in the throat)
between the two parts.

Huh-uh.

It's also difficult to show this pronunciation by using
normal writing. It's made with the mouth slightly open,
and the vowels are also nasal. As with Hm-umm,
there's a glottal stop between the two parts.

Uh-uh.

This variation is sometimes written "Unh-uh" to show
that the first vowel is nasal. Like Hm-umm and Huh-uh,
it has a glottal stop between the two parts.

Nope.

This variation on "No" is similar to Yep (a variation on
"Yes"). It has the same sound as "hope."

Nah.

This is a very casual equivalent for "No." It's usually
pronounced "naeh" with a vowel that sounds the same as
the vowel in "hat" or "nap."

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Special Notes: