nothing whatsoever

USAGE SUMMARY

"nothing whatsoever" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the extent to which something is not the case. For example: "I am not responsible for anything whatsoever related to this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nothing whatsoever!

The New York Times

Nothing whatsoever had changed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Nothing whatsoever," comes the reply.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Romney said nothing whatsoever about the invitation.

The New York Times

He knew nothing whatsoever of science.

The New Yorker

Now one looks and sees nothing whatsoever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nothing whatsoever seemed to be approaching from any direction.

The New Yorker

She said nothing whatsoever about her sex life.

The New York Times

Extremism has nothing whatsoever to do with religion.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This has nothing whatsoever to do with stunted intellect.

The Guardian

It has nothing whatsoever to do with the mission of a university.. . .

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing whatsoever" to add emphasis when you want to strongly deny something or indicate a complete absence of something. For instance, "I have nothing whatsoever to do with this decision" conveys a stronger denial than simply saying "I have nothing to do with this decision".

Common error

Avoid using "nothing whatsoever" in very casual conversations as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler phrases like "nothing at all" or "absolutely nothing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing whatsoever" functions as an intensifier, strengthening the negation. It modifies a statement to emphatically indicate the complete absence of something, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nothing whatsoever" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as an intensifier, adding significant emphasis to negative statements. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a usable phrase in written English. While versatile, it's more appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reporting and academic writing. Alternatives like "absolutely nothing" or "nothing at all" can be used in more casual settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to strongly deny something or emphasize the complete absence of something, ensuring your message is clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely nothing

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, similar to "nothing whatsoever".

none whatsoever

Mirrors the structure of the original phrase using "none" instead of "nothing".

no thing at all

Highlights the complete absence of any element or aspect.

not a single thing

Focuses on the lack of even one item or element.

zero

Offers a numerical representation of complete absence.

not anything

Simple and direct way to negate the existence of something.

not a bit

Emphasizes that there is not even a small amount or degree of something.

not in the least

Highlights the complete lack of any degree or extent.

not remotely

Similar to "not in the least", indicating something is not even slightly the case.

nowhere near

Indicates something is far from being the case or true.

FAQs

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

Use "nothing whatsoever" to emphasize a negative statement, indicating a complete absence or lack of something. For example, "He knew "nothing whatsoever" about the subject" suggests he had absolutely no knowledge.

What phrases are similar to "nothing whatsoever"?

Similar phrases include "absolutely nothing", "no thing at all", or "not a single thing". These alternatives also emphasize a complete absence.

Is "nothing whatsoever" formal or informal?

"Nothing whatsoever" is generally considered more formal. In very casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "nothing at all" may be preferred.

Is it correct to say "anything whatsoever"?

Yes, "anything whatsoever" is also a correct and usable phrase. It's used to emphasize the inclusion of even the smallest or most insignificant item. For example, "Do you have anything whatsoever to declare?"