there are no strings attached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are no strings attached" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an offer or agreement comes without any hidden conditions or obligations. Example: "I’m happy to help you with your project; there are no strings attached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

And there are no strings attached.

The New York Times

Sometimes there are no strings attached.

The New York Times

No wonder that, for Beck, there are no strings attached.

The New Yorker

Johnson & Johnson says there are no strings attached to its San Diego biotech start-up center.

The New York Times

My art side is free and there are no strings attached.

The New York Times

There are no strings attached to the money, allowing recipients full leeway on how they spend it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

From the start of the debate, Democrats have moved from insisting there be no strings attached to raising the borrowing cap to now adding $2.4 trillion in cuts and an enforcement mechanism.

Huffington Post

"The fact that there were no strings attached was very valuable," English says.

The Guardian - Arts

But Mr. Lewis said there were no strings attached to his gift.

The New York Times

Dr. DiMasi said there were "no strings attached" to the money it received from drug companies.

The New York Times

We have always said that we would accept government funds – provided that there were no strings attached.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there are no strings attached" to clearly communicate that an offer, gift, or agreement does not involve any hidden conditions or obligations. It's particularly useful when you want to assure someone of your sincerity and lack of ulterior motives.

Common error

Avoid using "there are no strings attached" when there are implied or unspoken expectations. Ensure that your actions genuinely reflect a lack of conditions to maintain trust and avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are no strings attached" functions as an idiom used to emphasize the absence of any hidden conditions or obligations related to an offer, agreement, or gift. As Ludwig AI points out, it clearly communicates that something is provided without any implicit expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are no strings attached" is a very common and grammatically correct idiom used to convey the absence of hidden conditions or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When aiming to express a genuine offer without expecting anything in return, this phrase is direct and effective. Be mindful to use it only when truly applicable to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without any obligations

Emphasizes the lack of mandatory actions or duties.

no obligations involved

Directly states that there are no mandatory actions required.

free of conditions

Highlights the absence of stipulations or requirements.

no hidden conditions

Highlights that all the terms of the agreement are transparent and upfront

unconditionally given

Focuses on the absence of any preconditions for the offering.

with no commitments

Stresses the lack of binding agreements or responsibilities.

given freely

Focuses on the voluntary nature of the offering.

without any quid pro quo

Specifically denies any expectation of reciprocal action or favor.

no catch

Informal way of saying there are no hidden downsides or problems.

absolutely free

Focuses on the benefit being offered at no cost and with no compromise.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "there are no strings attached"?

It means that something is offered without any hidden conditions, obligations, or expectations. The offer is genuinely free from any reciprocal requirements.

How can I use "there are no strings attached" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize the lack of conditions in an offer. For example, "I'm offering this help; "there are no strings attached"."

What is a more formal way to say "there are no strings attached"?

A more formal alternative is "without any obligations" or "free of conditions". These options convey the same meaning in a professional setting.

Which is correct, "there are no strings attached" or "there is no string attached"?

"There are no strings attached" is the correct and idiomatic expression. The singular form, "there is no string attached," is not commonly used and would sound unusual.