give him nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give him nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that someone should not receive anything, often in a situation of refusal or denial. Example: "In this negotiation, we must stand firm and give him nothing, as he has not earned our trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Nobody give him nothing.

The New Yorker

Give him nothing.

The Guardian - Music

President Obama has often trimmed his ideas to what he thinks he might possibly get from an opposition that intends to give him nothing.

The New York Times

If you suspect the man was trying to con you out of a few dollars because you represent an easy mark, give him nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

A single sentence was printed in bold: "It is not necessary to deprive him of anything, but simply to give him nothing".

The New Yorker

He doesn't deserve his full paycheck, since he lied to you in Spanish, but it wouldn't be fair to give him nothing, either.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We just gave him nothing to work with".

The New York Times - Sports

Her gaze gave him nothing, neither encouragement nor warning.

The New Yorker

The Old Lady, as the locals call the Old Course, gave him nothing.

Independent

The history that he had obscured had literally given him nothing.

The New Yorker

For a player who has almost everything to be handed a body that's given him nothing is somehow cruel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give him nothing" to emphasize a firm stance or refusal to provide anything, especially in situations where someone might expect or desire something. It conveys a strong sense of denial.

Common error

Avoid using "give him nothing" when you intend to express a temporary lack of resources. This phrase implies a deliberate withholding, not just an inability to provide.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give him nothing" primarily functions as a directive or declarative statement expressing a decision or intention to withhold something from a specific person. This aligns with Ludwig's observation that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give him nothing" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression, primarily used in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a strong sense of denial or refusal, emphasizing a deliberate decision not to provide something. When using the phrase, remember that it implies an intentional withholding rather than a mere lack of resources. Alternatives such as "offer him zero" or "deny him everything" can be used to fine-tune the message based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer him zero

Focuses on the act of offering, but with a result of nothing being provided.

provide him with zero resources

Emphasizes the lack of resources being given.

deny him everything

Highlights a complete denial of all things.

withhold any support from him

Focuses on the act of withholding support.

refuse to give him anything

Stresses the refusal to provide something.

leave him empty-handed

Emphasizes the result of not receiving anything.

grant him no concessions

Focuses on the lack of any compromises or advantages.

offer him no assistance

Emphasizes the lack of help or aid provided.

extend no favors to him

Highlights the absence of preferential treatment.

provide him with no benefits

Focuses on the lack of advantages or entitlements.

FAQs

How can I use "give him nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "give him nothing" to express a deliberate refusal to provide something. For example: "After his betrayal, we decided to "give him nothing"."

What are some alternatives to "give him nothing"?

Alternatives include "offer him zero", "deny him everything", or "withhold any support from him" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "give him nothing" or "give nothing to him"?

"Give him nothing" is more direct and commonly used. "Give nothing to him" is grammatically correct but less idiomatic and can sound slightly awkward in modern English.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "give him nothing"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a firm decision not to provide any assistance, resources, or concessions to someone, often due to disapproval or a strategic decision.