received nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that no items, information, or responses were obtained in a particular context. Example: "After waiting for a week, I checked my email and realized I had received nothing from the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yellowstone has received nothing.

The New York Times - Science

The federal government received nothing.

The Economist

Some, though, have received nothing.

The Economist

A third group received nothing.

The Economist

A control group received nothing.

The New York Times

He had received nothing but satisfactory evaluations.

The New York Times

Those who lived beyond D.C. received nothing.

University of California, Berkeley

Seventy days on, I have received nothing.

The Guardian - Money

The following year, Eaves received nothing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since then I have received nothing.

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Rabbani and Mr. Sayyaf received nothing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "received nothing", ensure the context clearly indicates what was expected or hoped to be received. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "received nothing" when a partial amount or some information was actually obtained. Use phrases like "received insufficient amount" or "received incomplete information" instead to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received nothing" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating the absence of something that was expected or anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "received nothing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a complete lack of attainment. Ludwig AI validates its frequent appearance in diverse contexts, particularly within News & Media. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring that the context clearly indicates what was expected or hoped to be received. Alternatives like "got zero" or "obtained nothing" can offer slight variations in tone or emphasis. Proper usage ensures clear communication and avoids potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got zero

Replaces "received" with a more informal "got" and "nothing" with "zero", emphasizing the absence of something.

obtained nothing

Substitutes "received" with "obtained", maintaining a similar formal tone while emphasizing the act of acquiring.

gained nothing

Focuses on the lack of benefit or advantage, using "gained" instead of "received".

acquired nothing

Similar to "obtained nothing" but can suggest a more deliberate effort to get something.

had nothing

Shifts the focus to possession rather than the act of receiving, implying a lack of something from the start.

came away empty-handed

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the disappointment of not receiving anything after an effort.

were given nothing

Changes the perspective to highlight that someone else failed to provide anything.

experienced no gain

Emphasizes the absence of positive outcome or progress, using more formal vocabulary.

yielded no results

Focuses on the lack of outcomes or consequences, particularly in an experimental or investigative context.

reaped no benefits

Highlights that there were no advantages or positive outcomes earned or obtained.

FAQs

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

You can use "received nothing" to indicate a complete absence of something expected, as in "After submitting the application, I "received nothing" in response."

What can I say instead of "received nothing"?

You can use alternatives like "got zero", "obtained nothing", or "gained nothing" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "received nothing" or "didn't receive anything"?

Both "received nothing" and "didn't receive anything" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice depends on your preferred style; "received nothing" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "received nothing" and "received no feedback"?

"Received nothing" implies a complete absence of any kind of response or item, whereas "received no feedback" specifically refers to the absence of comments or evaluations.