contains neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contains neither" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something does not include two or more specified items or elements. Example: "The report contains neither the financial data nor the performance metrics that were requested."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

The intrinsic formulation of the governing equations of the beam contains neither displacement nor rotation variables.

European Journal of Mechanics - A-Solids

It contains neither volumes of masters Bernini or Brunelleschi, Rodin nor Remington.

The Guardian - Arts

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

This is all you need for a perfectly packed case". It contains neither knickers, nor toothbrush and toothpaste.

The Guardian

Peanut butter, the everyman staple, which contains neither butter nor nuts (peanuts are legumes), originated as a health food of the upper classes.

The New Yorker

In a healthy person, however, urine is sterile and contains neither infectious microorganisms nor white blood cells trying to fight them.

The New York Times - Health

It contains neither rascasse nor grondin; Boston's sea is the Atlantic, not the Mediterranean, and Mr. Hamersley makes no apologies for that.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contains neither", ensure that the items being excluded are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This clarifies the scope of what is not included, adding precision to your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "contains neither" implies a comprehensive absence of related elements. It only specifies the absence of the stated items, not necessarily the entire category they belong to. Be explicit about what is included, not just what is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contains neither" functions as a conjunction indicating that something lacks two specific elements. As evidenced by Ludwig, this structure is used across diverse contexts to explicitly state what is not included.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

41%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contains neither" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate the absence of two specific items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds application across diverse fields, predominantly in science, news, and academia. It serves to clarify the scope or composition of something by explicitly stating what it does not include, ensuring a precise and unambiguous message. While appropriate for formal writing, it maintains a generally neutral tone suitable for broad communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not include either

Focuses on the absence of inclusion, rather than the presence of exclusion.

lacks both

Emphasizes a deficiency or absence of two specific items.

excludes both

Highlights the act of keeping something out or omitting it.

is devoid of both

Indicates a complete absence of two elements, using more formal language.

is without either

Similar to "lacks both", but with a slightly different phrasing.

incorporates neither

Emphasizes the absence of integration or incorporation of the specified items.

does not have either

A simpler, more direct way of stating the absence of something.

omits both

Highlights the action of leaving something out.

is absent of both

A more descriptive expression emphasizing the absence of two elements.

doesn't feature either

Focuses on the absence of prominent or noteworthy elements.

FAQs

How to use "contains neither" in a sentence?

Use "contains neither" to indicate that something does not include two specific items. For example: "The proposal "contains neither" a budget nor a timeline."

What can I say instead of "contains neither"?

You can use alternatives like "does not include either", "lacks both", or "excludes both" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contains neither" or "doesn't contain either"?

"Contains neither" is generally more formal and concise, while "doesn't contain either" is more conversational. Both are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "contains neither" and "does not contain"?

"Contains neither" specifically excludes two items, whereas "does not contain" can refer to one or multiple items without explicit emphasis on two. Use "contains neither" when highlighting the absence of two specific things.