not a soul

USAGE SUMMARY

"not a soul" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that nobody or nothing is present or in existence. For example, "In the quiet forest, not a soul stirred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not a soul.

The New York Times - Magazine

Not a soul around.

The New Yorker

But not a soul singer.

Independent

Not a soul stirs.

The Guardian - Music

Not a soul survived.

The Guardian - Arts

There was not a soul in sight.

The New York Times

Inside the buildings, not a soul.

The Economist

There was not a soul around.

The New Yorker

There is not a soul about.

The Guardian - Film

Not a soul was in the pool.

The New York Times

Not a soul admitted to being shocked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a soul" to create a sense of emptiness, loneliness, or abandonment in your writing. It is more emphatic than simply saying 'nobody was there'.

Common error

While "not a soul" is widely accepted, avoid using it in highly formal or technical writing where a more neutral term like "no one" or "nobody" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a soul" functions as an emphatic substitute for "nobody" or "no one". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in written English, highlighting the complete absence of individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not a soul" serves as an emphatic and evocative way to express the complete absence of people. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal writing, adding emotional weight to descriptions of emptiness or solitude. For formal writing, consider more neutral alternatives like "nobody" or "no one". With its frequent use across various sources, "not a soul" remains a potent tool for vividly portraying absence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nobody around

Focuses on the absence of people in a specific location.

no one present

Emphasizes the lack of individuals being at a certain place.

not a single person

Highlights the complete absence of any individuals.

completely deserted

Describes a place as being entirely empty of people.

utterly empty

Emphasizes the total lack of any presence.

devoid of life

Conveys the absence of living beings or activity.

vacant and alone

Highlights the emptiness and isolation of a place.

without a trace

Indicates a complete disappearance, leaving no sign of anyone.

in complete isolation

Stresses the state of being entirely separated from others.

all alone

Focuses on the feeling of solitude and the absence of company.

FAQs

How can I use "not a soul" in a sentence?

You can use "not a soul" to emphasize the absence of people. For example, "The town was deserted; "not a soul" could be seen anywhere".

What's a more formal alternative to "not a soul"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "no one" or "nobody" instead of "not a soul". For instance, instead of saying "Not a soul attended the meeting", you could say "No one attended the meeting".

Is "not a soul" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not a soul" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiom to express the absence of any person.

What is the difference between "nobody" and "not a soul"?

"Nobody" is a general term for no person. "Not a soul" is a more emphatic and evocative way of saying nobody, often implying a sense of loneliness or desolation. The phrase "not a soul" adds emotional weight to the absence.