give us nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give us nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is requesting or demanding a lack of contribution or assistance from others. Example: "In this negotiation, we must be firm and make it clear that we will give us nothing in return for their empty promises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

You give us nothing.' ".

The New York Times

"But they give us nothing," Mr. Rangel said.

The New York Times

"They can give us nothing," she said flatly, "if only we could just go home".

The New York Times

That would give us nothing more than a dirty parking lot".

The New York Times - Arts

Our country can give us nothing," said the long-haired youth thronged by protestors screaming abuse at the police.

The Guardian - Business

"It could go 100 miles to the west and be devastating, or it could go 100 miles to the east and give us nothing".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

w* gave us nothing new.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"America has given us nothing.

The New York Times

"He gave us nothing concrete," she said.

The Guardian

"They are taking our taxes and giving us nothing.

Independent

Sometimes the sea has given us nothing or almost nothing.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give us nothing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected or desired but not being provided. This helps to create a sense of frustration or injustice.

Common error

Avoid using "give us nothing" when there's no implicit or explicit expectation of something being given. The phrase works best when highlighting a broken promise or unmet need.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give us nothing" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of provision or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is used to highlight an absence of expected or desired contributions, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give us nothing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, primarily found in News & Media. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to express disappointment or frustration when something expected is not provided. Alternatives like "offer us zero" or "contribute absolutely nothing to us" can be used to convey similar sentiments. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly implies an expectation that has been unmet. Understanding this nuance prevents misuse and enhances the impact of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contribute absolutely nothing to us

Emphasizes total lack of input or assistance.

offer us zero

Focuses on the absence of any offer or provision.

supply us with not a thing

Emphasizes the complete absence of supplies or provisions.

provide us with zilch

Emphasizes the lack of provision using an informal term.

furnish us with no resources

Emphasizes the absence of materials or support.

grant us no concessions

Highlights the absence of advantages being given.

bestow nothing upon us

Highlights that nothing is received as a gift or favor.

afford us no benefit

Focuses on the lack of positive outcome or advantage.

yield us no return

Focuses on the absence of profit or outcome from an investment or effort.

impart no value to us

Stresses the absence of meaningful contribution or worth.

FAQs

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

You can use "give us nothing" to express a lack of support, resources, or benefits. For example, "They promised change, but they "give us nothing" in return for our loyalty."

What are some alternatives to saying "give us nothing"?

Alternatives include "offer us zero", "provide us with zilch", or "contribute absolutely nothing to us". These phrases convey a similar sentiment of absence or lack.

Is it grammatically correct to say "give us nothing"?

Yes, "give us nothing" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure where "give" is the verb, "us" is the indirect object, and "nothing" is the direct object.

What's the difference between "give us nothing" and "give us something"?

"Give us nothing" implies a complete lack of contribution or benefit, while "give us something" implies that some contribution or benefit is expected or desired. They are direct opposites in meaning.