found nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"found nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are describing the results of a search or investigation. For example, "After searching the house, the police found nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He found nothing suspicious.

The New York Times - Magazine

The prosecutor found nothing.

The New Yorker

Some found nothing there.

The New York Times

The bureau found nothing.

The New York Times

He found nothing.

The New York Times

They found nothing.

The New York Times - Health

Bailey found nothing unusual.

The New Yorker

Completed clearance, found nothing.

Harvard University

Googling it, they found nothing.

The New York Times

So far they've found nothing.

Independent

The police had found nothing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found nothing" to clearly and directly state the absence of a discovery or result. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid embedding "found nothing" within overly complex sentence structures. Keep the sentence concise and direct for clarity. For example, instead of "Despite the extensive search, it was found that they found nothing of significance", write "Despite the extensive search, they "found nothing" of significance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found nothing" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating the absence of a discovery or result. It is commonly used to report the outcome of a search, investigation, or examination, as seen in many Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found nothing" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the absence of a discovery or result. As indicated by Ludwig, it's primarily used in news and media contexts. While interchangeable with "didn't find anything", it offers a more concise and direct alternative. When writing, aim for clarity by using it in simple sentences. Consider alternatives like "discovered nothing" or "came up empty" for stylistic variation. "Found nothing" is a useful phrase to have in your vocabulary for effectively communicating a lack of findings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discovered nothing

Replaces "found" with "discovered", emphasizing the act of uncovering or revealing.

uncovered nothing

Similar to "discovered nothing", but implies a more thorough or investigative search.

came up empty

An idiomatic expression meaning to find nothing after a search or effort.

yielded no results

More formal, indicating that a process or search did not produce any outcomes.

turned up nothing

Similar to "came up empty", suggesting a lack of findings after investigation.

revealed nothing

Emphasizes the lack of disclosure or unveiling of information.

identified nothing

Focuses on the absence of recognition or pinpointing of something specific.

detected nothing

Implies the use of instruments or methods to perceive or discover something, with no success.

located nothing

Highlights the failure to find something in a specific place or area.

ascertained nothing

A more formal way of saying that no fact or truth was established or determined.

FAQs

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

"Found nothing" is used to indicate a lack of discovery or result. For example, "The police searched the house but "found nothing" suspicious."

What are some alternatives to "found nothing"?

Alternatives include "discovered nothing", "came up empty", or "yielded no results", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "found nothing"?

Yes, "found nothing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English.

What's the difference between "found nothing" and "didn't find anything"?

"Found nothing" is a more concise and direct way of saying "didn't find anything". They are largely interchangeable, but "found nothing" can sound slightly more formal in some contexts.