nothing to declare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nothing to declare" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of customs or border control to indicate that a person has no goods or items to report or declare to authorities. Example: "Upon arriving at the airport, I walked through the customs area and confidently stated that I had nothing to declare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Declaration of personal interests: All authors have nothing to declare.

BMC Health Services Research

It has nothing to declare.

The Guardian - Books

Apparently, he had nothing to declare but his genius.

The Guardian - Film

The film at this point has nothing to declare but Fischer's genius.

The Guardian - Film

He arrived with his most celebrated aphorism: "I have nothing to declare but my genius".

The Guardian - Books

Clearly dazzled by his talent, they had nothing to declare except his genius.

The Guardian - Books

And going against the spirit of "nothing to declare", I replied in the affirmative.

The Guardian - Sport

Nothing to declare.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

They have nothing to declare.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

DG has nothing to declare.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

LB has nothing to declare.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing to declare" when you want to clearly state the absence of any relevant information or items to report in a formal setting, such as in academic papers regarding conflicts of interest, or at customs when travelling.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing to declare" in informal conversations where a simple "I don't know" or "I have no comment" would be more appropriate. This phrase is best reserved for situations requiring a formal declaration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nothing to declare" is that of a declarative phrase. It is used to explicitly state the absence of any items or information that needs to be reported or disclosed. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in scientific publications and general statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nothing to declare" is a phrase used to formally state the absence of items or information that require disclosure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, especially in scientific and news contexts. It's crucial to use it appropriately, reserving it for formal declarations and avoiding it in casual conversations. Alternatives like "no items to report" or "no conflict of interest" may be more suitable depending on the context. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and formality in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no items to report

Focuses specifically on customs or reporting requirements, less versatile than the original phrase.

no goods to declare

More specific to physical items and customs contexts.

have no conflict of interest

Related to declarations of interest, particularly in professional or academic contexts.

no competing interests

Similar to having no conflict of interest, emphasizing impartiality.

nothing to disclose

Broader, covers various forms of disclosure beyond customs.

no further comments

Used when someone doesn't want to add anything more to the conversation.

decline to comment

Used when someone doesn't want to comment on the situation.

have no statement

Focuses on not having any formal statement to make.

no announcement to make

Highlights the absence of any news or information to share.

nothing further to add

Used to indicate there's no additional information.

FAQs

How is "nothing to declare" typically used?

The phrase "nothing to declare" is often used in formal contexts like customs declarations or conflict of interest statements. It indicates that the person has no items or information to report. For example, scientists might state they have "nothing to declare" regarding financial conflicts of interest.

What does "nothing to declare" mean in academic papers?

In academic papers, "nothing to declare" usually refers to the authors stating that they have "no competing interests" or conflicts of interest related to the research.

When is it appropriate to use "nothing to declare"?

It is appropriate to use "nothing to declare" when formally asked to disclose any relevant information or items, such as at customs or when completing a disclosure form in a professional or academic setting. Informally you can use "nothing to say".

Are there alternatives to using "nothing to declare"?

Yes, alternatives include "no items to report" (specifically for customs), "no conflict of interest" (in professional contexts), or "nothing to disclose" depending on the specific context.