none of these apply

USAGE SUMMARY

"none of these apply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say that none of the options offered are suitable. For example, "I'm looking for a job that offers flexible hours and the jobs listed don't have that option, so none of these apply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But again, none of these apply.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No, none of these apply to me.

Harvard University

None of these apply to the Work Programme".

Independent

None of these apply to the United States today.

The New York Times

If none of these apply, let tree-ripened fruit come to you.

The New York Times - Food

If none of these apply, click here to contact the User Support team and ask us to check that you really are on the list.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Sadly, none of these applies to me.

The Guardian - Sport

None of these applied in 2004.The Democrats united early and enthusiastically behind John Kerry.

The Economist

Narrative, sequence, time, order, rationality: none of these applies here, in what Dalí called his "hand-painted dream photographs".

The Guardian - Arts

Worryingly for the Deputy PM, 64% of those polled in the north said that none of these applied to him So if not Clegg, then who?

The Guardian

Sources said that peers had only rejected "statutory instruments" – the measures that are delivering the changes to tax credits – on five occasionsover the past century and none of these applied to financial matters.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "none of these apply", ensure the "these" clearly refers to a specific, previously mentioned set of conditions, options, or statements to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "none of these apply" if the referent of "these" is unclear or too broad. Instead, specify which items are not applicable to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "none of these apply" functions as a statement of exclusion or irrelevance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for use in written English and is typically used to indicate that a set of conditions or options previously mentioned are not pertinent to the current situation. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "none of these apply" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a set of conditions or options is irrelevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, and its usage is generally neutral in tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the referent of "these" is clear. Alternatives such as "these are not applicable" or "these do not pertain" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

these are not applicable

Changes the structure to a more direct statement, emphasizing the lack of applicability.

these do not pertain

Uses a more formal verb to convey that the items are not related or relevant.

these are irrelevant

Replaces the verb with an adjective, highlighting the lack of relevance.

these don't concern us

Shifts the focus to the lack of concern or impact on the speaker or group.

these are not pertinent

Similar to irrelevant, but with a slightly more formal tone.

the above is not applicable

Refers to previously mentioned items, clarifying the scope of non-applicability.

these have no bearing

Indicates that the items have no influence or effect on the situation.

these are beside the point

Suggests that the items are not relevant to the current discussion or issue.

these are not connected

Emphasizes the lack of a relationship or link between the items and the situation.

these are unrelated

Highlights the absence of a connection or association.

FAQs

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

Use "none of these apply" when you want to indicate that a previously mentioned set of conditions, options, or statements are not relevant in a specific situation. For example, "I reviewed the eligibility criteria, but "none of these apply" to my situation."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "these are not applicable" or "the aforementioned criteria do not pertain". These alternatives provide a similar meaning but with a more elevated vocabulary.

How does "none of these apply" differ from "not applicable"?

"Not applicable" is often used on forms or in structured contexts to indicate that a specific field or question does not relate to the subject. "None of these apply" is more conversational and is used when discussing a range of previously mentioned items or conditions.

When is it inappropriate to use "none of these apply"?

It's best to avoid "none of these apply" when the context is highly technical or when clarity is paramount. In such cases, explicitly state which conditions are not relevant instead of relying on a general phrase.