out of nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to indicate that something was created or came into being from nothing. For example, "The universe was created out of nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's made something out of nothing".

The New York Times - Sports

I was born out of nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It didn't come out of nothing".

The New York Times - Science

The writers created something out of nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's making trouble out of nothing".

The New York Times

He always made something out of nothing".

Independent

It came out of nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

That came out of nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

This is out of nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

Out of nothing, Australia are ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

"You created a sensation out of nothing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of nothing" to emphasize the lack of initial resources or conditions when something significant is created or achieved.

Common error

Avoid using "out of nothing" in situations where the creation process involved some existing elements, however minimal. Reserve it for scenarios where the starting point was genuinely devoid of relevant resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of nothing" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how something is created, originates, or happens. It often emphasizes the lack of pre-existing materials or conditions. Ludwig highlights many example usages across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

General

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "out of nothing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. According to Ludwig AI, it describes something created or emerging from a state of complete absence. Predominantly found in news, sports, and general contexts, it emphasizes the lack of initial resources. It can be used in neutral or elevated contexts across various domains. When using this phrase, consider whether the creation or event truly originated from a state lacking all relevant prior conditions. This ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex nihilo

A Latin term meaning "from nothing", often used in philosophical or theological contexts.

from nothingness

Emphasizes the initial state of complete absence before something is created.

de novo

A Latin term meaning "anew", which relates to something being created again.

from scratch

Indicates starting from the very beginning, without any prior work or materials.

from a blank slate

Similar to "from scratch", but emphasizes the absence of pre-existing ideas or knowledge.

from zero

Highlights starting from a point of having nothing or knowing nothing.

from the ground up

Implies building something completely new, starting with the foundational elements.

out of thin air

Suggests something appearing suddenly and unexpectedly, as if magically created.

without a basis

This phrase highlights the lack of any prior foundation or justification.

unprovoked

This phrase emphasizes the lack of cause or instigation for an action or event.

FAQs

How can I use "out of nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "out of nothing" to describe the creation or emergence of something significant from a state of non-existence or complete absence. For example, "The artist created a masterpiece "from nothing"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "out of nothing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "from scratch", "from the ground up", or "ex nihilo" (a Latin term). The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "emerged from nothing" or "created out of nothing"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but they have slightly different connotations. "Emerged from nothing" implies a more spontaneous or natural appearance, while "created out of nothing" suggests a deliberate act of making something.

Can I use "out of nothing" to describe an argument or conflict?

Yes, you can. In such cases, it implies that the argument or conflict arose without any apparent cause or justification. You might also consider "unprovoked" or "without a basis" as alternatives.