such thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"such thing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific thing that has been mentioned earlier in the conversation. For example, "I'm not sure if she will be able to make it but I will check - is there such thing as a back-up plan?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But no such thing.

The New York Times

There was no such thing.

The Economist

They found no such thing.

The Economist

It is no such thing".

The New York Times

Everybody knows no such thing!

The New York Times

Welch did no such thing.

The New Yorker

I saw no such thing.

The New York Times

I recall no such thing.

The New York Times

I did no such thing.

The Economist

It did no such thing.

The Economist

It was no such thing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such thing" to clearly deny the existence or validity of a concept or idea previously mentioned. Ensure the context makes it clear what "thing" you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "such thing" when referring to something that is simply rare or uncommon, but not entirely non-existent. "Such thing" implies a complete absence, not just infrequency.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "such thing" is to serve as a determiner phrase that negates the existence or validity of a previously mentioned noun or concept. It often appears after a negative statement or question, reinforcing the absence of something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is used correctly in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "such thing" is a common and grammatically correct way to express denial or disbelief in the existence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to negate the validity or reality of a concept or object, and is adaptable across different levels of formality. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, but is still present in Formal & Business and Science contexts. For alternative expressions, consider using phrases like "nothing of the sort", "no such animal", or "not at all" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nothing of the sort

Expresses a strong denial or contradiction of a previous statement or assumption.

anything of the kind

Emphasizes the absence of something within a specific category or type.

absolutely not

An emphatic way to express disagreement or denial.

something like that

Indicates a lack of specificity or exactness, suggesting a similarity but not an identity.

anything like it

Highlights the uniqueness or lack of comparable examples of something.

no such animal

A more informal and emphatic way of denying the existence of something.

not a bit of it

Conveys complete disagreement or denial, often in response to a suggestion or accusation.

not at all

A general expression of denial or negation.

not in the least

Emphasizes the absence of something to even a small degree.

no way

An informal expression of impossibility or strong disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "such thing" in a sentence?

Use "such thing" to deny the existence or validity of something previously mentioned or implied. For example, "He claimed there was a free lunch, but there's no "such thing"".

What does "such thing" mean?

"Such thing" refers to something that has been mentioned or implied and is being denied or declared as non-existent.

Are there alternatives to using "such thing"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "nothing of the sort", "no such animal", or "not at all" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use "such thing"?

Yes, it's incorrect if you're referring to something that exists but is rare, or if the reference to what "thing" you're talking about is unclear.