contained neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contained neither" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something does not include or possess two or more specified elements or qualities. Example: "The report contained neither the necessary data nor the required analysis to support the conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Cut from the cob and frozen in plastic pint containers, Granny's corn resembled common creamed corn, but contained neither added sugar nor milk.

The New Yorker

The slave ship contained neither gold baubles nor jewels, and they quickly moved on.

The New York Times

Yet the sky contained neither stars nor moon, just the low, black night pushing down.

The New Yorker

Returning to his law office the other day after yet another Sisyphean court session, Jeffrey T. Schwartz found a letter that, impressively, contained neither threats nor insults.

The New York Times

When Fox released a trailer for "Fantastic Mr. Fox," in July, many of Anderson's fans were surprised to discover that it contained neither his name nor Roald Dahl's.

The New Yorker

Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name," from "Casino Royale," contained neither word from the title, but it did rely on an extended gambling metaphor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It contains neither knickers, nor toothbrush and toothpaste.

The Guardian

But the debris from his theatrically violent concert contains neither guitar-string curlicues nor drumstick splinters.

The New York Times - Arts

It contains neither the friendship nor civility that makes marriage successful.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the mosaic contains neither inscriptions nor religious symbols, and the animals are mum.

The New Yorker

(Gluten is also found in rye and barley; a gluten-free diet contains neither these grains nor wheat).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contained neither", ensure that the items being negated are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contained neither" when referring to a singular noun. The phrase is designed for situations involving two or more distinct elements. Instead, opt for "did not contain" or "lacked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contained neither" functions as a correlative conjunction used to negate the presence of two specific items or qualities within something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically correct way to indicate the absence of both elements mentioned. Examples from Ludwig show this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contained neither" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that effectively negates the presence of two specific elements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and appropriate for use in formal writing, scientific reports, and news articles. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, "contained neither" is valuable for clear and precise communication. To maximize clarity, ensure the negated elements are well-defined, and avoid using this phrase with singular nouns. Alternatives like "included neither" or "lacked both" can provide similar meanings while offering stylistic variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

included neither

This alternative focuses on inclusion rather than containment but conveys a similar sense of absence.

lacked both

This alternative emphasizes the absence of both elements, focusing on what was missing.

did not include either

This is a more verbose alternative that explicitly states the absence of both elements.

was without both

This alternative highlights the state of being without the specified elements.

had neither

This focuses on possession and the absence of both elements.

did not have either

Similar to 'had neither', this emphasizes the lack of possession in a more explicit way.

failed to include both

This alternative suggests a failure or omission in including the specified elements.

excluded both

This emphasizes that both elements were intentionally left out.

was devoid of both

This phrase stresses a complete absence of both elements, implying emptiness.

omitted both

This alternative focuses on the act of leaving out or excluding both elements.

FAQs

How do I use "contained neither" in a sentence?

Use "contained neither" to indicate that something lacks two specific elements. For example, "The experiment contained neither the control group nor the experimental variables."

What can I say instead of "contained neither"?

You can use alternatives like "included neither", "lacked both", or "did not include either" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "contained neither X or Y"?

No, the correct phrasing is "contained neither X nor Y". The correlative conjunction "neither" is always paired with "nor". Using "or" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "contained neither" and "did not contain"?

"Contained neither" specifically negates two distinct elements, while "did not contain" can negate a single element or a general absence. "The sample contained neither sugar nor salt" vs "The sample did not contain sugar".