there is nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'there is nothing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to signify a state of having nothing. For example: "I have searched everywhere, but there is nothing to be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is nothing automatized".

The New York Times

"There is nothing".

The New York Times

There is nothing concrete".

Independent

There is nothing more.

The New Yorker

There is nothing lovlier.

The New Yorker

There is nothing else.

The New York Times

There is nothing to smell.

The New Yorker

And there is nothing there.

The New York Times

There is nothing untoward here.

Independent

There is nothing "murky" here.

The New York Times

There is nothing to say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there is nothing" to clearly and directly state the absence of something. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "there is nothing" when referring to plural nouns. The correct form for plural nouns is "there are no" (e.g., "There are no apples left", not "There is nothing apples left").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is nothing" primarily functions as an existential clause expressing the absence of something. It asserts that a particular entity or concept does not exist or is not present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there is nothing" is a versatile and commonly used expression in the English language, signifying the absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's particularly frequent in news and media, as well as general conversation. While alternatives like "there's nothing" or "nothing exists" offer slight variations in tone or emphasis, "there is nothing" remains a clear and direct way to express a lack or absence. Remember to use "there are no" when referring to plural nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there's nothing

Contraction of "there is", creating a more informal tone.

there is absolutely nothing

Adds emphasis to the complete absence of something.

nothing exists

Emphasizes the non-existence of something in a more absolute sense.

there isn't anything

Uses a negative contraction to express the absence of something.

there are no

Used when referring to plural nouns to indicate the absence of multiple items.

nothing can be found

Highlights the unsuccessful attempt to locate or discover something.

zero

A shorter, more direct way of stating that the quantity of something is non-existent.

not a thing

An idiomatic expression signifying the absence of anything.

there's not a thing

Contraction of "there is" combined with "not a thing" for an informal tone.

void

Implies a complete emptiness or lack of something, often used in a philosophical or abstract sense.

FAQs

How can I use "there is nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "there is nothing" to express the absence of something, such as "There is nothing to fear" or "There is nothing more important".

What's the difference between "there is nothing" and "there isn't anything"?

"There is nothing" and "there isn't anything" are often interchangeable, but "there is nothing" can sometimes imply a more absolute absence.

What can I say instead of "there is nothing"?

Alternatives include "nothing exists", "there are no" (for plural nouns), or simply "nothing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there is nothing I can do"?

Yes, "there is nothing I can do" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a lack of ability to take action.