but nothing tangible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but nothing tangible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that while there may be ideas, feelings, or concepts present, there is no physical evidence or concrete result. Example: "The meeting was filled with discussions and theories, but nothing tangible came out of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But nothing tangible is in the offing.

The Economist

There were plenty of favourable comments but nothing tangible.

The Guardian

They had "a swell trip," she said, but nothing tangible came of it.

The New York Times

There are some people who are interested but nothing tangible," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

BBC

Since then there has been much hope of success, but nothing tangible, as their division - the National League East - has been dominated first by the Atlanta Braves and then the Philadelphia Phillies.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

His speech references music, computer games and the iPad edition of the Times (thanks Apple, thanks News Corp) – but offered nothing tangible for music, games or newspapers.

The Guardian

But he did nothing tangible about it until about three years ago, when he had a chance conversation with Madeline Porter of Port Jefferson, who taught with his wife, Joan, in the Northport School district.

The New York Times

They are pounding the pavement in France but are doing absolutely nothing tangible for the Kurdish cause.

Vice

When your congressman comes back to their district with nothing tangible but the promise to fight for this or that, with no results, what's the difference between that and a snake oil salesman?

HuffPost

F Scott Hess: "Back in the 80s (when my career was a bit hotter) I noticed that the ads in the big national art mags brought in nothing tangible, but the blurbs and articles in local style magazines (LA Style, Venice Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, etc).

Huffington Post

They'll point out that thousands of Wikipedia "volunteers" essentially work on the site full-time, driving its success — but that while they get nothing tangible for their efforts, WMF bankrolls its employees' cooking classes, massages and gym memberships.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but nothing tangible" to convey that efforts or discussions haven't produced any measurable or concrete results. It's effective for highlighting the lack of real-world outcomes despite perceived activity.

Common error

Don't use "but nothing tangible" when you mean something isn't visually apparent. "Tangible" implies a lack of concrete, measurable substance, not just invisibility. For visual issues, use "but nothing visible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but nothing tangible" primarily functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting a preceding statement or expectation with a contrasting outcome of no concrete or measurable result. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It signifies a lack of perceivable or material effect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but nothing tangible" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to express a lack of concrete results after some effort or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral to professional tone. While semantically interchangeable alternatives like "but no concrete results" or "but nothing of substance" exist, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember that "tangible" implies more than just visibility; it refers to measurable or perceivable substance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but no concrete results

Emphasizes the absence of specific, measurable outcomes.

but no physical evidence

Focuses specifically on the lack of tangible proof or verification.

but nothing to show for it

Highlights the lack of visible achievements after an activity.

but nothing of substance

Highlights the lack of meaningful or important content.

but no solid outcome

Stresses the absence of a definitive or reliable result.

but no material gain

Concentrates on the absence of financial or practical benefit.

but no palpable effect

Focuses on the absence of a noticeable or detectable impact.

but no real progress

Underscores the lack of advancement or positive change.

but no practical application

Emphasizes the lack of real-world usefulness or implementation.

but no demonstrable effect

Highlights the lack of evidence of impact or influence.

FAQs

What does "but nothing tangible" mean?

It means that despite efforts or discussions, there are no concrete or measurable results to show for it. It indicates a lack of physical or perceivable outcomes.

What can I say instead of "but nothing tangible"?

You can use alternatives like "but no concrete results", "but no physical evidence", or "but nothing of substance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "but nothing tangible"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a lack of concrete results or evidence. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a usable and correct phrase.

How to use "but nothing tangible" in a sentence?

Example: "The negotiations seemed promising, but "but nothing tangible" came of them."