nothing was found

USAGE SUMMARY

"nothing was found" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "The police searched the house but nothing was found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still nothing was found.

Independent

"Nothing was found," he said.

Independent

But today nothing was found.

The New York Times

"Nothing was found," the official said.

The New York Times

Nothing was found in the Guerena home.

The Guardian

"Nothing was found," Ms. Bassett Hackett said.

The New York Times

Nothing was found to exclude Mr. Collins.

The New York Times

After Varshavsky left the stall, nothing was found in it.

The New York Times - Sports

The terminal was searched, but nothing was found.

The New York Times

"Nothing was found," said an aunt, Berta Dantzler.

The New York Times

The hunt was eventually called off after nothing was found.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider whether a more specific term might be appropriate. For instance, if searching for evidence, saying "no evidence was found" may be more precise than "nothing was found".

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on passive voice constructions like "nothing was found" can make your writing sound weak. Consider rewriting the sentence to emphasize the actor or subject of the search. For example, instead of "Nothing was found during the search", try "The search yielded nothing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing was found" typically functions as a statement indicating the absence of a discovery or finding following a search or investigation. It is often used to report the outcome of a process where something was expected or hoped to be located. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nothing was found" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the absence of a discovery or finding, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile and appears in various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was being sought and consider whether a more specific phrase like "no evidence was found" might be more appropriate. While the phrase is widely accepted, avoid overuse of passive constructions for stronger writing. Ludwig’s examples highlight the phrase's extensive use across diverse sources, making it a reliable and understandable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no discovery was made

Highlights the absence of any groundbreaking find.

nothing was located

Highlights the failure to pinpoint a specific item or entity.

the investigation revealed nothing

Focuses on the lack of results from a formal inquiry.

it yielded no results

A formal way of saying that the effort did not produce any outcome.

no trace was discovered

Emphasizes the absence of any indication or evidence.

no findings were made

Emphasizes the lack of conclusive results from an investigation or study.

nothing turned up

Informal way to express that a search yielded no results.

nothing surfaced

Suggests that no information or object became apparent or known.

no evidence emerged

Focuses on the lack of evidentiary support.

the search came up empty

Idiomatic expression indicating an unsuccessful search.

FAQs

How can I use "nothing was found" in a sentence?

You can use "nothing was found" to indicate that a search or investigation yielded no results. For example, "The police searched the area, but "nothing was found"".

What are some alternatives to "nothing was found"?

Alternatives include "no evidence was found", "nothing turned up", or "the search came up empty", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "nothing was found" or "no evidence was found"?

The choice depends on the context. "Nothing was found" is more general, while "no evidence was found" is more specific to situations involving investigations or searches for proof. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the situation.

What does "nothing was found" imply?

It implies that a search, investigation, or examination did not yield any results, meaning the object, information, or evidence sought was not located or discovered.