none of them

USAGE SUMMARY

'none of them' is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are referring to none of a group of previously discussed items or people. For example, "I asked around, but none of them had seen him".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

None of them worked.

Independent

None of them hold.

The New Yorker

None of them did.

The New York Times

None of them agreed.

The Economist

None of them could.

The Economist

None of them".

The New York Times

None of them can.

The New Yorker

None of them work.

Journal of Corporate Finance

None of them mentioned it.

The New Yorker

None of them did so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

None of them-none.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the antecedent (the group "them" refers to) is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I offered them apples and oranges, but none of them wanted the oranges."

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with "none of them" when referring to countable nouns. It should be "None of them are going", not "None of them is going".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "none of them" functions as a pronoun phrase that indicates the absence or exclusion of every member within a specified group. Ludwig's examples show its ability to replace a plural noun within a sentence, expressing that no individuals from that group fulfill a specific condition or action. The Ludwig AI confirms it's a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "none of them" is a versatile pronoun phrase used to indicate that no members of a specific group meet a condition or possess a certain quality. As evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples, it is very common in written English, especially in news articles. It is grammatically sound and appropriate for neutral registers. The analysis suggests that, when writing, it's crucial to ensure clear pronoun reference to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms that "none of them" is suitable for stating that none of a group fits a condition, following proper grammar standards. Alternate expressions like "not one of them" offer slightly varied emphasis but fulfill the same core function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not one of them

Emphasizes the absence of even a single member of the group.

not a single one of them

Stronger emphasis on the complete absence of any member.

no one of them

Directly states that not a single person from the group is involved.

zero of them

Uses "zero" for a more numerical and emphatic denial.

absolutely none of them

Adds emphasis using "absolutely" to indicate a complete lack.

not any of them

A more informal and straightforward way to express the absence.

not even one of them

Highlights the surprising or unexpected absence of even one.

without exception, none of them

Adds a formal tone, stressing that the statement applies to all without exception.

in no instance, any of them

Formal alternative expressing that in no situation is any member involved.

in no case, any of them

Formal and emphatic way of saying that none are applicable.

FAQs

How do I use "none of them" in a sentence?

"None of them" refers to not one member of a group. For example, "I invited my friends, but "none of them" could come."

Is it correct to say "none of them is" or "none of them are"?

When "them" refers to a plural noun, use "are". It's grammatically correct to say "None of them are going to the party." Using "is" is less common and generally considered incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "none of them" and "neither of them"?

"None of them" is used when referring to three or more items or people. "Neither of them" is used when referring to only two. For example, "None of them (of the five) wanted pizza," versus "Neither of them (of the two) wanted pizza."

What can I say instead of "none of them"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not one of them", "not a single one of them", or "no one of them".