there is neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'there is neither' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce two or more negative facts or situations. For example, "There is neither time nor money for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Currently, there is neither.

The Guardian - Business

Now there is neither.

Independent

Right now, there is neither.

The Guardian

There is neither individual nor collective liberty.

The New York Times

In the event, there is neither.

The New Yorker

At the moment there is neither.

The Economist

There is neither transcendence nor transformation.

The New Yorker

There is neither a treatment nor a vaccine for humans.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

In this country there is neither measure nor balance.

The New Yorker

There is neither a mouth nor a digestive tract.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is neither musical backing nor voice-over.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there is neither" to clearly indicate the absence of two distinct elements or options in a given situation. This construction is particularly effective when emphasizing that neither one nor the other is available or applicable.

Common error

Avoid using "either/or" in the same sentence as "there is neither". The phrase already implies that neither option is present, making "either/or" redundant and grammatically incorrect. Instead, focus on clearly stating what is absent without introducing alternative choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is neither" functions as a negative existential clause, typically introducing the absence of two or more specific elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English writing. For example, "There is neither time nor money."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there is neither" is a grammatically correct and widely used construction to express the absence of two or more things. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for a range of contexts, from neutral news reporting to more formal academic and scientific writing. While alternatives like "there is not" or "there is no" exist, "there is neither" offers a specific emphasis on the lack of multiple elements. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy by omitting "either/or" in the same sentence. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and correctness in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is not either

Rephrasing with simpler negation, slightly less formal.

there isn't either

Contraction used for a less formal tone.

there is no

A more direct and common way to indicate absence of something.

neither exists

Emphasizes the non-existence of two things.

none exists

Highlights the complete absence of something.

there aren't any

Indicates the absence of multiple items or instances.

there does not exist

A more formal and emphatic way of stating non-existence.

lacks both

Focuses on the deficiency or absence of two specific items.

neither is present

Highlights the absence of something or someone in a specific context.

there is a lack of both

Emphasizes the deficiency or absence of both items under discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "there is neither" in a sentence?

Use "there is neither" to indicate that two things are absent or not true. For example, "There is neither a clear solution nor enough funding for this project."

What's the difference between "there is neither" and "there is not"?

"There is neither" is specifically used when referring to two absent things, while "there is not" can refer to a single absent thing or a general lack.

Can I use "nor" without "neither"?

While "nor" can sometimes be used independently, it's typically paired with "neither" for emphasis, especially when starting a clause. Using "nor" alone can sometimes sound incomplete or awkward.

What are some alternatives to using "there is neither" in writing?

Alternatives include "there is no", "none exists", or rephrasing to indicate the absence more directly, such as "both are lacking."