nobody laughs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nobody laughs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that no one finds something funny or amusing, often in a context where humor is expected. Example: "He told a joke, but nobody laughs, and the silence was awkward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Nobody laughs.

The New York Times - Books

The result is that nobody laughs.

The New Yorker

No wonder nobody laughs all that hard.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nobody laughs at clowns any more.

The Guardian

Nobody laughs and the frog dies".

The Guardian - Books

Nobody laughs and the frog dies" - Barry Cryer.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Nobody laughed.

The New York Times

Why is nobody laughing?

The Guardian - Business

And nobody laughed.

The New York Times

Nobody laughed at all.

The Guardian - Sport

"Nobody laughed; I mean, nobody.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nobody laughs" to create a contrast, highlighting the unexpected lack of humor in a situation where laughter would be typical or expected.

Common error

While "nobody laughs" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "no one thought it was funny" might be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nobody laughs" functions as a statement indicating the absence of laughter in a situation where it might be expected. Ludwig AI shows its usability, offering examples from reliable sources. This indicates a clear lack of amusement or a failed attempt at humor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nobody laughs" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating the absence of amusement. While not extremely common, Ludwig's analysis shows it effectively conveys a lack of humor, often highlighting an awkward or serious moment. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register applicable across various writing styles. Several alternatives exist to refine the message, such as "no one is amused" or "the joke falls flat". Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and offers diverse real-world examples from respected sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no one finds it funny

Directly states the absence of humor.

there is no laughter

Simply states the absence of laughter.

no one is amused

Replaces "laughs" with "is amused", emphasizing the lack of amusement.

the attempt at humor fails

Directly states that the attempt at humor was unsuccessful

the joke falls flat

Describes the joke's failure to elicit laughter.

the humor is lost on everyone

Indicates that no one understands or appreciates the humor.

silence ensues

Focuses on the result of the joke, which is silence.

the room remains silent

Emphasizes the silence following a failed attempt at humor.

the audience is unresponsive

Highlights the lack of reaction from the audience.

it bombs

Uses slang to describe a complete failure in comedy.

FAQs

How can I use "nobody laughs" in a sentence?

You can use "nobody laughs" to describe a situation where a joke or attempt at humor fails to elicit laughter. For example, "He told a joke, but "nobody laughs", creating an awkward silence."

What is a good alternative to "nobody laughs"?

Alternatives include phrases like "no one is amused", "silence ensues", or "the joke falls flat", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "nobody laughs"?

Yes, "nobody laughs" is grammatically correct. "Nobody" is a singular pronoun, and "laughs" is the correct verb form to use with it.

What does it mean when you say "nobody laughs"?

Saying ""nobody laughs"" means that no one finds something funny or that an attempt at humor fails to produce any laughter.