add nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"add nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that nothing should be added to something. For example: "We'll be starting from scratch, so just follow the recipe – add nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vague or general ones add nothing.

The Guardian - Books

Chabris and Simons add nothing to this truism.

The New York Times - Books

She said, "Yes," but could add nothing more.

The New Yorker

We can add nothing useful to its discussion.

Harvard University

Instead, cut costs that add nothing to what customers value.

Harvard Business Review

Add nothing, just use the space and the architecture, dummy.

The New York Times - Arts

I am not sure what that means, but it seemed to add nothing to the article.

The New York Times

Incredibly, the schools seem to add nothing to the market value of the students".

The New Yorker

These loans add nothing to the economy's productive capacity, but they do add to demand.

The Economist

But they add nothing to the many spoofs, intended or not, that Picasso did of himself.

The New York Times - Arts

Just omit the words "and far between"; they add nothing to "few".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "add nothing" when you want to emphasize that incorporating something will not improve or enhance a situation, product, or idea. Be direct and clear in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "add nothing" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve clarity. Prioritize direct and concise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "add nothing" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to indicate that an action or element contributes no value, improvement, or significance to a situation or object. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to express that something is unnecessary or irrelevant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

15%

Lifestyle

11%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "add nothing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a lack of contribution or value. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its neutral register allows for broad application, though careful consideration of context is advised for optimal clarity. This phrase is common in news, academic writing, and lifestyle content, offering a concise way to dismiss irrelevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contribute nothing

Replaces "add" with "contribute", emphasizing the lack of contribution.

provide nothing

Focuses on the absence of providing anything of value.

offer nothing

Highlights the lack of any offering or benefit.

amount to nothing

Shifts the focus to the final result being insignificant.

contribute zero

Uses "zero" for emphasis, quantifying the lack of contribution.

bring nothing to the table

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of valuable input or skills.

make no difference

Emphasizes that adding or including something will not have any effect.

have no effect

Highlights the lack of any impact or consequence.

is of no value

Indicates that something has no worth or importance.

does not enhance

Focuses on the lack of improvement or enhancement.

FAQs

How can I use "add nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "add nothing" to emphasize that an element is unnecessary or irrelevant. For example, "Adding sugar to this recipe would "add nothing" to the flavor."

What are some alternatives to "add nothing"?

Alternatives include "contribute nothing", "provide nothing", or "make no difference", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "adds nothing" or "add nothing"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "adds nothing" with singular subjects (e.g., "This feature adds nothing") and "add nothing" with plural subjects (e.g., "These changes add nothing").

What does it mean when something "adds nothing"?

It means that the thing in question doesn't improve, enhance, or contribute anything of value to the situation. It's essentially useless or irrelevant.