none of the items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "none of the items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where not a single item from a specified group is applicable or present. Example: "After reviewing the list, I found that none of the items met our requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But none of the items at this distribution center are for sale.

The New York Times

"I had to give an undertaking that none of the items would ever be sold.

The Guardian

None of the items are loaded down with windbag descriptions of ingredients or preparation details.

The New Yorker

"None of the items would make the 'Greatest New Jersey Political Scandals' list.

The New York Times

None of the items recovered appeared to be relevant to the investigation, the FBI said.

The Washington Post

None of the items had been opened and none had been delivered.

The New York Times

None of the items earmarked for the V&A are currently on public show in Bradford, the Guardian understands.

The Guardian

None of the items were recovered - they included a £2.8m diamond-studded bracelet - despite a substantial reward.

The Guardian

None of the items in the exhibition were seen during Steward's lifetime except within the confines of his home.

The New York Times

None of the items are new but dredged up from the bottom of piles in that satisfying period of rediscovery whenever seasons change.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

None of the items mentioned above takes that much effort for me to produce an unpolished version with existing materials or placeholder text/media.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "none of the items", ensure that the context clearly defines the group of items being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using a singular verb after "none of the items". Remember that while "none" can sometimes take a singular verb, with a plural noun like "items", it usually requires a plural verb (e.g., "None of the items were recovered," not "None of the items was recovered").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "none of the items" functions as a determiner phrase indicating the absence or exclusion of all members within a specific group. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from recovered goods to test statistics, demonstrating its role in conveying complete negation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "none of the items" is a versatile phrase used to express the absence or non-applicability of all members of a defined group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency and presence in diverse fields such as science, news and media, suggest its broad applicability in conveying complete negation. It's important to ensure clear context when using the phrase and to use plural verbs for grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no items whatsoever

Emphasizes the complete absence of any item.

not a single item

Highlights the lack of even one item from the group.

zero items

Directly states the quantity as zero.

nothing included

Focuses on the absence of inclusion.

no objects present

Replaces "items" with "objects" and emphasizes presence.

everything is missing

Shifts focus to the state of being missing.

absolutely no objects

Adds emphasis to the absence of objects.

not any of the things

Uses a more general term "things" instead of "items".

nothing available

Highlights the lack of availability.

no articles at all

Replaces "items" with "articles" for specific contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "none of the items" in a sentence?

You can use "none of the items" to indicate that nothing from a specified set is applicable or present. For example: "After the search, it was clear that "none of the items" had been disturbed."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "none of the items"?

Alternatives include "not a single item", "zero items", or "nothing included", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "none of the items was"?

While "none" can sometimes take a singular verb, in the phrase "none of the items", it's generally better to use a plural verb. Therefore, "none of the items were" is usually more appropriate.

When should I use "none of the items" versus a more specific statement?

Use "none of the items" when you want to emphasize that an entire group is excluded or absent. If you know more specific details, such as which items are missing or why, it might be better to use a more descriptive statement.