nothing of the sort

USAGE SUMMARY

"nothing of the sort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that something is not true or not the case. For example, "I heard you were leaving the company - nothing of the sort!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing of the sort.

The New York Times

It's nothing of the sort.

Independent

Nothing of the sort happened.

The Economist

He is doing nothing of the sort.

The Economist

But nothing of the sort happened.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nothing of the sort, Amazon says.

The New York Times

The reality is nothing of the sort.

Independent

Mr Page announced nothing of the sort.

The Economist

But it's nothing of the sort.

The New Yorker

Nothing of the sort happened in J.Crew.

The New York Times

Moyes had said nothing of the sort.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing of the sort" to politely but firmly deny a statement or insinuation. It's particularly effective in formal or semi-formal settings where a direct 'no' might seem too blunt.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing of the sort" in very informal conversations or slang-heavy contexts. It can sound overly formal or even sarcastic if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing of the sort" serves as an emphatic denial or contradiction. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English to negate a statement or suggestion. It is used to assert that something is untrue or didn't occur as implied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nothing of the sort" is a commonly used phrase to express strong disagreement or denial. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, this phrase serves to correct misconceptions and rebuff assertions. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings, maintaining a level of sophistication in communication. Alternatives such as "not at all" or "quite the contrary" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Remember to avoid using "nothing of the sort" in highly informal or slang-heavy conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not at all

A simple, direct way of expressing disagreement or denial.

quite the contrary

Emphasizes the opposite is true, adding a stronger sense of contradiction.

far from it

Indicates that something is not true and possibly the opposite is true.

not in the slightest

Highlights that something is not true to any degree.

on the contrary

Similar to "quite the contrary", suggesting the opposite is true.

that's not the case

States directly that a previous statement or assumption is incorrect.

that isn't true

A straightforward denial of a statement's truth.

absolutely not

A firm and emphatic way to negate a statement.

not by any means

Expresses a strong denial, indicating something is definitely not the case.

you're mistaken

Implies that someone's understanding or information is incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "nothing of the sort" in a sentence?

Use "nothing of the sort" to deny a statement or suggestion. For instance, if someone asks, "Were you planning to quit your job?", you could respond, "Nothing of the sort! I love my job."

What does "nothing of the sort" mean?

"Nothing of the sort" means that something is absolutely not true or didn't happen as suggested. It's a more emphatic way of saying "no".

What are some alternatives to "nothing of the sort"?

Alternatives include "not at all", "quite the contrary", or "far from it". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "nothing of the sort" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "nothing of the sort" is appropriate for formal writing and speech. It's a clear and relatively sophisticated way to express disagreement or denial without being overly aggressive.