there were no

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "there were no" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "When I opened the box, there were no presents inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were no gifts.

The New York Times - Arts

There were no leftovers.

The New Yorker

There were no books.

The New Yorker

There were no bodies.

The New Yorker

There were no jitters.

The New York Times - Sports

There were no arguments.

Independent

There were no gimmicks".

The New York Times

There were no seats.

The New Yorker

"There were no meds.

The New York Times - Health

There were no auditions.

The New York Times

There were no lights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were no", ensure the noun that follows is plural. For a singular noun, use "there was no".

Common error

Avoid using "there was no" with plural nouns. The correct form is "there were no". Example: Incorrect: "There was no cars." Correct: "There were no cars."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were no" functions as an existential clause expressing the absence or non-existence of something. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were no" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate the absence of something, specifically when referring to plural nouns. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to maintain subject-verb agreement, avoiding its use with singular nouns in favor of "there was no". Alternatives like "there was nothing" or "none existed" can offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning. Its neutral register makes it suitable for formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there weren't any

Employs the contraction "weren't" instead of "were not", offering a slightly more informal tone.

there was nothing

Shifts the focus to "nothing" to emphasize the complete absence of something.

none existed

Uses a more concise and emphatic statement to indicate the absence of something.

not a single one

Highlights the complete lack of even one instance of something.

there did not exist any

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

no examples existed

Focuses specifically on the lack of examples.

absence of

Emphasizes the "absence of" something rather than stating "there were no".

lack of

Similar to "absence of", but perhaps slightly less formal.

there has not been any

Shifts to the present perfect tense to indicate a lack that has persisted.

nothing could be found

Highlights the unsuccessful search or attempt to find something.

FAQs

How can I use "there were no" in a sentence?

The phrase "there were no" is used to indicate the absence of something, typically a plural noun. For example, "There were no survivors after the plane crash."

What are some alternatives to saying "there were no"?

You can use alternatives like "there was nothing", "none existed", or "not a single one" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "there was no" or "there were no"?

The correct form depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun. Use "there was no" for singular nouns (e.g., "there was no time") and "there were no" for plural nouns (e.g., "there were no seats").

Is "there weren't no" grammatically correct?

No, "there weren't no" is a double negative and is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to express the absence of something is to use "there were no" or "there weren't any".