none of these

USAGE SUMMARY

"none of these" is correct and usable in written English and it is often used when listing options.
For example: Which color did you pick? Blue, green, yellow, or none of these?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None of these worked".

The New York Times

None of these exist.

The New Yorker

Most are none of these.

The Economist

None of these things exist.

The New York Times

"None of these have materialised.

Independent

None of these initiatives lasted.

The New York Times

"I reject none of these.

The New York Times

I was none of these.

The New York Times

Chess has none of these".

The New York Times

None of these things happened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She did none of these.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "none of these" to directly negate a set of options or possibilities, providing a clear and concise rejection.

Common error

Avoid using "none of these" when you actually mean "not all of these". "None of these" implies a complete absence, whereas "not all" acknowledges the existence of some.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "none of these" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a negative determiner. It indicates the absence of any member from a previously mentioned or implied set. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "none of these" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to express complete negation or exclusion concerning a set of previously mentioned options. As Ludwig AI confirms, its straightforwardness makes it suitable across different registers, from academic writing to news reporting. Its primary function is to indicate that no item from a specific group is applicable or valid, so it is important to ensure its context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "not any of these" or "not one of these" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Be cautious not to use it when "not all of these" is more appropriate to avoid misleading assertions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely none of these

Adds emphasis with "absolutely", making it a stronger denial.

not any of these

Replaces "none" with "not any", emphasizing the absence of any element from the group.

not one of these

Emphasizes the lack of even a single element from the group.

not any single one

Similar to "not one", but emphasizes individuality.

not a single one of these

Strengthens the negation by specifying that not even one item is present or applicable.

zero of these

Uses "zero" to denote the absence of any items from the specified set.

without exception, none of these

Emphasizes that there are no exceptions to the absence.

no such thing

Indicates that the discussed items or concepts do not exist or apply.

in not one case

Expresses the absence in every particular case.

in no instance

Highlights the absence of something in every possible scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "none of these" in a sentence?

You can use "none of these" to indicate that none of the options or items previously mentioned apply or are true. For example, "Did you choose the red, blue, or green shirt? None of these."

What is a more formal alternative to "none of these"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "not any of these" or "not one of these" to convey a similar meaning with slightly increased formality. For example, instead of "None of these options are viable", you could say "Not any of these options are viable".

Is it ever incorrect to use "none of these"?

While generally correct, using "none of these" might be misleading if you intend to convey that some, but not all, of the items apply. In such cases, it's better to use "not all of these".

What's the difference between saying "none of these" and "not a single one"?

"None of these" is a general way of saying that none of the options apply. "Not a single one" emphasizes the lack of even one item, often conveying a sense of surprise or emphasis on the complete absence.