including nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "including nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a list or group does not contain any items or elements. Example: "The package was supposed to contain several items, but it arrived empty, including nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"He could have picked any amount, including nothing".

The New York Times

And whatever you do, including nothing, the bingeing goes away".

The New York Times - Science

Cashiers take orders, then tell customers the value of the meal, but patrons are free to pay any amount, including nothing.

The New Yorker

Many of the examples pass unnoticed by careful writers, including "nothing could be more certain" and "there could be no more perfect spot".

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't enough to make a story from, so he added twenty-one words of his own, including "nothing," "mess," and "pink".

The New Yorker

In writing "The Handmaid's Tale," Atwood was scrupulous about including nothing that did not have a historical antecedent or a modern point of comparison.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

His technology holdings include nothing more adventurous than I.B.M.

The New Yorker

The White House said the offer "includes nothing new".

The Economist

It includes nothing about the marks on Galvan's neck.

The Guardian

That price usually includes nothing additional beyond a sprig of parsley.

The New York Times

His campaign Web site includes nothing about his children, with whom he reportedly has strained relations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "including nothing" to explicitly emphasize that a list, set, or category is completely empty or devoid of any elements.

Common error

Avoid using "including nothing" when you mean to say that a list includes only a specific set of items. "Including nothing" indicates a complete absence, not a limitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "including nothing" functions as a qualifier, clarifying the contents or components of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize the complete absence of any elements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "including nothing" serves to explicitly state the absence of any elements or items within a specified scope. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct. It is most frequently found in news articles and encyclopedic entries. Although "including nothing" is not a common phrase, it's helpful to emphasize a complete lack or absence. The use of alternatives like "containing not a single item" or "comprising absolutely zero elements" may be preferable in certain contexts to achieve a smoother flow of writing. When using "including nothing", ensure that the intended meaning is to express a complete absence and not a limited inclusion. Remember to use "including nothing" when you want to drive the message home about something having nothing in it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

containing not a single item

Emphasizes the complete absence of items within a container.

comprising absolutely zero elements

Highlights the absence of elements in a composition.

encompassing no components whatsoever

Stresses that no components are part of something.

involving no details at all

Focuses on the complete lack of specific details.

incorporating not even the slightest bit

Highlights the absence of even a minimal inclusion.

introducing no new information

Specifies the absence of new details being presented.

excluding all possible additions

Emphasizes the act of preventing any inclusion.

with absolutely nothing involved

Highlights complete absence of involvement.

showing no sign of incorporation

Focuses on the lack of any visible element of inclusion.

sans any addition

A more concise way of saying without any inclusion.

FAQs

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

Use "including nothing" to emphasize that something contains absolutely no items or elements. For example, "The box was empty, including nothing".

What's a good alternative to "including nothing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "containing not a single item", or "comprising absolutely zero elements", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "including nothing"?

Yes, the phrase "including nothing" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate the complete absence of something within a specified scope.

What's the difference between "including nothing" and "excluding everything"?

"Including nothing" focuses on what is contained, emphasizing its emptiness. "Excluding everything" focuses on actively omitting all possible elements. The practical difference is subtle but "excluding everything" is more appropriate when talking about conscious choice of setting constraints.