no news

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no news" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that there is no new information or updates available. Example: "I haven't heard from her, so I assume there's no news." Alternative expressions include "no updates" and "nothing new."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "no news is good news" approach is unacceptable to patients.

BMC Family Practice

"No news is no news," he said.

The New York Times

They contain no news.

The New York Times

Bearer of no news.

The New Yorker

There was no news.

The New York Times

Still no news.

Independent

"Without names, there's no news".

The New York Times

SOMETIMES, no news is news.

The Economist

No news conference was called.

The New York Times

"My general, no news.

The Guardian

No news releases.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that 'news' is an uncountable noun in English. Even though it ends in 's', it always takes a singular verb, for example, 'No news is available at this time'.

Common error

Avoid using a plural verb with "no news". Many writers mistakenly say 'no news are available' because they perceive 'news' as plural. Correct this to 'no news is available' to maintain standard grammatical agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no news" functions primarily as a noun phrase consisting of the determiner 'no' and the uncountable noun 'news'. According to Ludwig, it serves as a concise way to denote the total absence of information. It frequently appears as the subject of the existential 'there is' or as the direct object of verbs like 'have' or 'receive'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no news" is a highly common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate the absence of updates or communication. Analysis of Ludwig AI data shows it is a staple of high-quality journalism, particularly when reporting on missing persons, corporate delays or political stalemates. The phrase is singular in nature, meaning it should always be paired with singular verbs. While often used literally, it also carries strong idiomatic weight through the proverb 'no news is good news', making it a versatile tool for both factual reporting and social commentary. Writers should ensure they do not pluralize the verb agreement, even in complex sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nothing new

Suggests that while information might exist, it is the same as before.

no updates

More common in professional or project-based environments regarding progress.

no word

Often implies a lack of communication from a specific person or entity.

no recent developments

A more formal and analytical way to describe a stagnant situation.

absence of news

A slightly more literary or formal structure using a noun-heavy approach.

nothing to report

Common in military or professional statuses indicating a lack of activity.

no information available

Highly formal and objective, often used in official reports.

zero updates

Adds an informal emphasis on the absolute lack of new details.

not a peep

An idiomatic and informal way to describe total silence or lack of news.

radio silence

Metaphorical term indicating a total halt in communication or updates.

FAQs

How do I use "no news" in a sentence?

You can use "no news" as a subject or object to indicate a lack of information. For example, 'We have had "no news" from the front since yesterday' or 'There was "no news" regarding the merger'.

What can I say instead of "no news"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nothing new", "no updates" or "no word".

Is it "no news is" or "no news are"?

The correct form is always "no news is". News is an uncountable noun that functions as a singular subject despite its plural appearance.

What is the difference between "no news" and "nothing new"?

"no news" specifically refers to the absence of reported information or communication, whereas "nothing new" refers more broadly to the absence of change in a situation or facts.