nothing tangible

USAGE SUMMARY

"nothing tangible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that cannot be seen or touched, for example, "He had nothing tangible to show for the years he had spent studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Nothing tangible, you understand.

The New York Times

Nothing tangible, that is.

The New York Times

But nothing tangible is in the offing.

The Economist

"We feel nothing tangible from this peace".

The New York Times

Sudan had "nothing tangible" to show.

The Guardian

There were plenty of favourable comments but nothing tangible.

The Guardian

"At a great cost of blood and treasure, we achieved nothing tangible," he says.

The Economist

Asked how he could convince fans that goals would come, Van Gaal provided nothing tangible.

Independent

They edged the Bears, who had nothing tangible to gain with a victory, 10-3.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm entering middle age with nothing tangible to show for it.

The New York Times

And that someone had nothing tangible or economic to gain, only an inner satisfaction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing tangible" when you want to emphasize the absence of something concrete or measurable, often in situations where expectations or efforts haven't yielded visible results.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing tangible" when you actually mean something is intangible (existing but not having a physical presence). "Nothing tangible" describes a lack of concrete outcomes, not the nature of something that exists without physical form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing tangible" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating the absence of something that can be perceived through the senses or measured concretely. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its role in modifying nouns to express this lack.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nothing tangible" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that signifies the absence of concrete or measurable results. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, expressing disappointment or a lack of visible progress. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to distinguish its meaning from "intangible", which refers to something existing without physical form, rather than a lack of concrete outcomes. Related phrases like "nothing appreciable" or "nothing significant" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas while emphasizing different aspects of the absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nothing appreciable

Replaces "tangible" with "appreciable", focusing on the lack of significant amount or effect.

nothing notable

Substitutes "tangible" with "notable", emphasizing the absence of anything worth mentioning or remembering.

nothing significant

Replaces "tangible" with "significant", stressing the lack of importance or consequence.

nothing definite

Substitutes "tangible" with "definite", focusing on the absence of clarity or certainty.

nothing discernible

Replaces "tangible" with "discernible", highlighting the inability to perceive or recognize anything.

nothing visible

Substitutes "tangible" with "visible", emphasizing the absence of anything that can be seen.

nothing identifiable

Replaces "tangible" with "identifiable", focusing on the inability to recognize or determine anything specific.

nothing real

Substitutes "tangible" with "real", emphasizing the lack of genuine or authentic substance.

nothing physical

Replaces "tangible" with "physical", stressing the absence of a material or corporeal form.

nothing substantial

Substitutes "tangible" with "substantial", emphasizing the lack of considerable importance, size, or worth.

FAQs

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

You can use "nothing tangible" to describe situations where efforts or processes don't produce concrete results. For instance, "Despite the negotiations, there was "nothing tangible" to show for it."

What phrases are similar to "nothing tangible"?

Alternatives include "nothing appreciable", "nothing significant", or "nothing discernible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "anything tangible" instead of "nothing tangible"?

Yes, but they have opposite meanings. "Anything tangible" implies that there is something concrete or measurable, while "nothing tangible" indicates the absence of such things.

What's the difference between "nothing tangible" and "nothing material"?

"Nothing tangible" generally refers to a lack of concrete results or visible outcomes, while "nothing material" emphasizes the absence of a physical substance. They're often interchangeable, but "nothing tangible" can also apply to less physical situations.