not a trace of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not a trace of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the complete absence of something, often in a figurative or literal sense. Example: "After the storm, there was not a trace of the beautiful garden that once flourished in the backyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not a trace of mud.

Independent

Not a trace of him was left.

The Guardian - Opinion

And there's not a trace of the sex wars here.

The New York Times - Books

Yet there was not a trace of ill-feeling.

The Guardian - Sport

And not a trace of kangaroo about him.

The Guardian

This time, there was not a trace of subtlety.

The New Yorker

There was not a trace of a breeze.

The New Yorker

There's not a trace of healthier-than-thou smugness.

The New York Times

Not a trace of nostalgia in the language.

The Guardian - Books

There is not a trace of bitterness in her.

The Guardian - Books

But not a trace of the deadly bacteria was found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a trace of" to emphasize the complete absence of something, whether physical or abstract. For example, "After years of neglect, there was not a trace of the original paint on the walls."

Common error

Avoid using "not a trace of" when a simpler phrase like "no sign of" or "without" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives to improve clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a trace of" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the complete absence of something. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to express that there is no indication or evidence that something exists. It often appears in descriptive contexts to highlight a lack of physical or abstract qualities.

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, "not a trace of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the complete absence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile enough for both formal and informal use, though it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While effective for creating emphasis, avoid overuse by opting for simpler alternatives like ""no sign of"" in more straightforward descriptions. This phrase serves to strongly deny or highlight the non-existence of something, enhancing descriptive writing and adding impact to statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no sign of

Emphasizes the lack of any indication or evidence.

not a hint of

Highlights the absence of even the slightest suggestion.

no vestige of

Suggests the complete disappearance of something, leaving nothing behind.

not a shred of

Emphasizes the lack of even a tiny fragment.

completely devoid of

Focuses on the total absence of a quality or substance.

entirely lacking in

Highlights a complete deficiency.

without a shadow of

Indicates an absence of doubt or uncertainty regarding something.

bereft of any

Emphasizes a state of being deprived or lacking something necessary.

no indication of

Focuses on the lack of any signal or clue.

nothing to suggest

Emphasizes that there's nothing that indicates the presence of something.

FAQs

What does "not a trace of" mean?

The phrase "not a trace of" means that something is completely absent; there is no evidence or indication that it exists or ever existed.

How can I use "not a trace of" in a sentence?

You can use "not a trace of" to emphasize the complete absence of something. For example, "After the cleaning, there was "no sign of" the mess the children had made" or "Despite searching everywhere, there was "not a hint of" remorse in his eyes".

What are some alternatives to "not a trace of"?

Alternatives to "not a trace of" include "no sign of", "not a hint of", and "no vestige of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "not a trace of" formal or informal?

"Not a trace of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently used in news articles and literature but also appears in everyday conversation.