nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a lack of something, or to indicate that there is not anything to say or do. For example: "I don't have anything else to add - there's nothing left to discuss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is nothing new.

The New York Times

It had nothing to do with me.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's got nothing to do with me.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing worked.

The New York Times

"This woman is nothing more than an attention seeker who does not deserve to be a celebrity".

The Guardian

"We must show our young people, who may be targeted, that extremists have nothing to offer them.

The Guardian

Nothing happened.

The New York Times

It was nothing of the sort.

The New York Times - Arts

Nothing new.

The New York Times - Arts

But this is nothing new.

The New York Times

Nothing doing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing" to clearly indicate the absence of something, whether tangible or abstract. It's a versatile term that fits well in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing" in sentences that already contain a negative. For example, instead of saying "I don't know nothing", say "I don't know anything" or "I know nothing".

Linguistic Context

The word "nothing" primarily functions as a pronoun, representing the absence of something. It can also function as a noun referring to something insignificant. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "nothing" is a versatile term in the English language, primarily functioning as a pronoun to denote the absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its communicative purpose is mainly to negate expectations, convey absence, or underscore insignificance. With a neutral register, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases like "not anything" and "not a thing" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, while common errors, such as using "nothing" in double negatives, should be avoided for clarity. Examples extracted by Ludwig highlight its application in various scenarios, affirming its vital role in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not anything

Emphasizes the absence of something, similar to "nothing" but with a slightly different syntactic structure.

not a thing

Informal way to say "nothing", often used for emphasis.

naught

Archaic or formal synonym for "nothing".

zero

Implies a complete absence or lack of quantity.

nil

Similar to zero, indicating absence or nonexistence.

nada

Spanish loanword for "nothing", used for emphasis.

zippo

Informal synonym for "nothing", often implying worthlessness.

not at all

Indicates a complete lack or absence of something in a specific context.

absence of anything

More descriptive way to express the concept of "nothing" focusing on the void.

without a trace

Implies the complete disappearance or absence of something.

FAQs

How to use "nothing" in a sentence?

"Nothing" can be used as a pronoun or a noun to indicate the absence of something. For example, "There is "nothing to fear"" or "Nothing happened".

What can I say instead of "nothing"?

You can use alternatives like "not anything", "not a thing", or "zero" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "nothing" or "anything" in negative sentences?

In negative sentences, use "anything". For example, "I don't have anything" is correct, while "I don't have nothing" is a double negative and generally considered incorrect. However, "I have nothing" is a correct way to express the same idea.

What's the difference between "nothing" and "naught"?

"Nothing" is the common term for absence of something, while "naught" is an archaic or more formal synonym. They both mean the same thing, but "naught" is less frequently used in modern English.