Log inSign up

La secretaria no tiene ninguna grapa.

La secretaria no tiene ninguna grapa.
The secretary does not have any staples.
From Lesson 261:Relative pronouns for things (el que, la que)·Spanish (Spain)

Questions & Answers about La secretaria no tiene ninguna grapa.

Why is it ninguna grapa (singular) when the English translation says 'any staples' (plural)?
In Spanish, the negative words ninguno and ninguna are almost always used with singular nouns. While in English we naturally say 'any staples', the Spanish phrasing works more like 'not a single staple'.
Can I ever use the plural forms ningunos or ningunas?
Yes, but only with nouns that are always or almost always used in the plural, such as gafas (glasses) or tijeras (scissors). Because you can have just one staple (una grapa), Spanish requires the singular ninguna here.
Why are there two negative words (no and ninguna) in this sentence?
Spanish requires a double negative! When a negative word like ninguna, nadie (nobody), or nunca (never) comes after the verb, you must put no before the verb. You cannot say La secretaria tiene ninguna grapa.
Is grapa related to the fruit 'grape'?
No, they are false friends! Una grapa is a metal staple you use to bind paper together in an office. If you are looking for the fruit, a grape is una uva.

Learn La secretaria no tiene ninguna grapa and more in Spanish

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Spanish →