nothing left

USAGE SUMMARY

"nothing left" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that there is not anything remaining from a particular event or situation. For example, "After the sale, there was nothing left in the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have nothing left".

The New York Times

There was nothing left.

The New Yorker

"There's nothing left now".

The New York Times

Nothing left," he said.

The New Yorker

"There's nothing left".

The New York Times

There would be nothing left.

The New Yorker

"There's nothing left to eat.

The New York Times

"There's nothing left," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"But there's nothing left over".

The New York Times

There's nothing left here anymore".

The New Yorker

We had nothing left.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing left" to emphasize the complete absence of something, whether it's physical resources, emotional reserves, or opportunities. For example, "After the fire, there was "nothing left" of their home" powerfully conveys the extent of the devastation.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing left" when a small amount remains. The phrase implies complete depletion, so using it when something still exists can be misleading. Instead, consider phrases like "very little remains" or "almost "nothing left"."

Linguistic Context

"Nothing left" primarily functions as a predicative expression. Ludwig AI examples shows it is commonly used to describe a state of complete absence or depletion. For example, in the phrase "There was "nothing left"," it describes what exists (or, rather, doesn't exist).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nothing left" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a state of complete absence or depletion. According to Ludwig AI it's suitable for various contexts, although it's most frequently found in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it often carries an emotional weight, implying loss or finality. When using "nothing left", be sure that you are referring to a true absence, as its strong connotation can be misleading if even a small amount remains. Alternatives like "very little remains" or "almost gone" may be more appropriate in such cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all gone

This is a simpler, more direct way of saying that "nothing left" remains.

there isn't anything remaining

A more formal and verbose way of expressing that "nothing left".

entirely depleted

This suggests that all resources have been used up, leaving "nothing left".

everything's been used

This alternative clearly indicates that every resource has been exhausted, leaving "nothing left".

completely exhausted

This alternative implies a total depletion of energy or resources, similar to having "nothing left".

utterly consumed

This emphasizes the complete consumption or usage of something, resulting in "nothing left".

absolutely finished

This alternative suggests that something is completely done or used up, leaving "nothing left".

not a trace remains

This conveys that there is absolutely "nothing left" behind.

totally wiped out

This indicates a complete destruction or elimination, resulting in "nothing left".

devoid of anything

This suggests a complete lack of something, synonymous with having "nothing left".

FAQs

How can I use "nothing left" in a sentence?

You can use "nothing left" to indicate a complete absence or depletion of something. For example, "After the storm, there was "nothing left" of the crops", or "He gave it his all, but in the end, he had "nothing left" to give".

What's a less dramatic way to say "nothing left"?

If you want to convey a similar meaning without being overly dramatic, you could use phrases like "very little remains", "almost gone", or "largely depleted" depending on the context.

Is "nothing left" appropriate for formal writing?

"Nothing left" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might consider using a more nuanced phrase such as "completely exhausted" or "entirely depleted" to add precision.

What's the difference between "nothing left" and "nothing remains"?

While "nothing left" and "nothing remains" are very similar, "nothing left" often carries a stronger emotional connotation, suggesting a sense of loss or finality. "Nothing remains" is a more neutral statement indicating absence. Consider the context to choose the more appropriate phrase.