got nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"got nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize having nothing at all. For example, "After the thief searched the house, he got nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This guy got nothing.

The New York Times

We got nothing, zippo".

The New Yorker

I got nothing.

The New York Times

They've got nothing.

The Economist

They ain't got nothing".

The New Yorker

"I've got nothing".

The New Yorker

You've got nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

Shareholders got nothing.

Independent

I've got nothing else".

The New Yorker

We've got nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

I've got nothing to do.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got nothing" to emphasize a complete absence of something, whether it's material possessions, results, or benefits.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "got nothing". Ensure the tense is consistent with the context of the sentence. For example, do not say "I will have got nothing" when "I will get nothing" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got nothing" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of possession, achievement, or receipt. It conveys the absence of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis and the numerous examples provided.

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, the phrase "got nothing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a complete lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile and widely used, predominantly in news and media contexts. While its register is generally informal to neutral, it's best to consider more formal alternatives like "received nothing" or "obtained nothing" in academic or professional settings. Remember to maintain consistent tense usage and use it to emphasize a complete absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received nothing

Focuses on the act of receiving, highlighting the absence of any reception.

obtained nothing

Emphasizes the failure to gain or acquire something.

gained nothing

Stresses the lack of any positive outcome or advantage.

came away empty-handed

Illustrates the lack of success in obtaining something, often after effort.

ended up with nothing

Highlights the final result of having no possessions or gains.

achieved nothing

Focuses on the absence of accomplishment or success.

didn't get anything

A more direct and simple way of expressing the same lack of receipt.

were left with nothing

Indicates a state of deprivation or loss, resulting in having no resources.

were given nothing

Highlights the absence of any provision or offering.

yielded no results

Focuses on the failure to produce any outcomes or consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "got nothing" to express a lack of possession, achievement, or benefit. For example, "After searching for hours, I "got nothing"." or "Despite the effort, they "got nothing" from the deal."

What's a more formal alternative to "got nothing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "received nothing", "obtained nothing", or "gained nothing" as alternatives to "got nothing".

Is it correct to say "have got nothing" instead of "got nothing"?

Both "have got nothing" and "got nothing" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning, although "got nothing" is more common in informal speech. In formal English, "have received nothing" might be preferable.

What is the difference between "got nothing" and "has nothing"?

"Got nothing" is often used to describe a past event or a specific situation where something was not obtained. "Has nothing", on the other hand, usually refers to a current state of lacking something. For instance, "He searched the house and "got nothing"" versus "He "has nothing" left after the fire".