No news is good news means that hearing nothing is already good news: if nobody has reported a problem, everything is probably fine. People say it to calm themselves and others while waiting for test results, an answer after a job interview or a call from relatives who are away. It sounds calm and everyday, and often starts with Well.
When would you say no news is good news?
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no news is good news; Well, no news is good news (as a reply)
- I haven't heard back from the clinic yet. Well, no news is good news, I suppose.
- The landlord hasn't called about the leak again, so no news is good news.
- My parents never text me while I'm travelling; for them, no news is good news.
What changed
First versionNo news are good news, so stop worrying.
RevisionNo news is good news, so stop worrying.
News is always singular in English, even though the -s makes it look plural. That's why are seems natural. The correct form is is, just as in the proverb.
The same rule works outside the proverb: The news is on at nine; Is there any news? One item of news is a piece of news, not a news: I've got a piece of good news.
Your turn
My son is on a school trip and hasn't called since Monday. Well, no news ___ good news.
Show the answer
is — News is uncountable, so it takes a singular verb: is. Are seems logical because news ends in -s, but it isn't used with news.
Describe a situation where you're waiting for an answer and it still hasn't come. Say who you're waiting to hear from and how much time has passed.
The bank still hasn't replied about my loan after two weeks, but no news is good news.
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