not one person

USAGE SUMMARY

"not one person" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to emphasize that absolutely no one meets the criteria you are discussing. Here is an example sentence: "Despite our best efforts, not one person showed up to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's not one person passing something on to the next".

The New York Times - Magazine

Not one person within the club was willing to take personal responsibility for the booklets.

The Guardian

It's not one person.

The New York Times - Sports

Not one person died".

The New York Times

Not one person objected.

The Guardian

Not one person knows".

The Guardian - Music

It's not one person or two.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not one person or one phase.

The New York Times - Sports

But let's -- it's not one person.

The New York Times

Not one person was looking back.

The New York Times

Not one person has a sense of what Scottishness means.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not one person" to emphasize a complete absence or lack of involvement by anyone, enhancing the impact of your statement.

Common error

While "not one person" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "nobody", "no one", or "not a single person" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not one person" functions as a negative determiner followed by a noun. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptability. It is used to emphasize the absence of any single individual, highlighting a complete lack of participation or presence. This construction is effective in making a strong statement about the absence of even a single person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not one person" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that emphasizes the complete absence of an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to highlight that absolutely nobody was involved or present. While it can be used across different writing styles, consider more formal alternatives like "no one" or "not a single individual" in academic or highly formal contexts to maintain a polished tone. Remember to use this phrase to create a strong impact by underscoring the total lack of individual participation or presence in a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nobody

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word, conveying the same meaning of absence.

no one

A direct synonym, offering a slightly more formal tone.

not a single person

Emphasizes the lack of even one individual.

absolutely nobody

Intensifies the negation, stressing the absence of anyone.

not one individual

Uses a more formal term than "person".

not anybody

Similar to 'nobody' and 'no one', offering a slightly less formal tone.

none whatsoever

Emphasizes a complete absence of people.

not a soul

An idiomatic expression conveying the complete absence of people.

not any person

A more literal substitution, stressing the lack of any individual.

zero people

Uses a numerical value to emphasize the absence.

FAQs

How can I use "not one person" in a sentence?

You can use "not one person" to emphasize the complete absence of someone or anyone doing something. For example, "Not one person objected to the proposal" indicates that nobody voiced any opposition.

What's a more formal alternative to "not one person"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "no one" or "not a single individual". These alternatives provide a slightly elevated tone while maintaining the same meaning.

Is there a difference between saying "no one" and "not one person"?

While both phrases convey the same basic meaning, "not one person" often adds emphasis to the absence or lack of involvement, highlighting that absolutely nobody was present or participated.

Can "not one person" be used in all types of writing?

Yes, "not one person" is generally acceptable in various types of writing. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives like "no individual" for a more refined style.