was available for nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was available for nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was offered or accessible without any cost or payment required. Example: "The concert tickets were available for nothing, attracting a large crowd eager to enjoy the music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But the edition shown on the opening night was available for nothing on the PBS website – although the online viewer had to get past "a message from our sponsor" and a button pleading "donate now" – and other premiere fare, including the science show Nova and the current affairs series Frontline, are also archived free.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And since it is available for nothing online, she won't see a penny back.

Independent

The transport secretary, Phil Hammond, once said in an email: "I would regard it as an abuse of taxpayer funding to pay for something that is available for nothing".

The Guardian

"Philosophically, what is it about a work of art that makes it mandatory that it should be available for nothing?" he has asked).

The New York Times - Arts

Philip Hammond, the Conservative Party frontbencher, recently refused to pay his interns, saying he would "regard as an abuse of taxpayer funding to pay for something that is available for nothing".

The New York Times

At a time of record prices for theatrical hits and hysterical competition to get tickets for the first screenings of the new Star Wars movie, it seems odd that two of the biggest cultural events of the year should be available for nothing.

The Guardian

This is a new translation by Geoffrey Brock; the previous one, by Patrick Creagh for Harvard, is available for nothing online, but Brock's translation seems to pull the language a little more to the Anglo-Saxon end of the spectrum (eg "book-object" as opposed to "the object we call a book").

The Guardian - Books

What business model can there be in a marketing environment where millions of legitimate songs are available for nothing, even without potential customers spending ten minutes to download software that will allow them to steal the rest at the click of a mouse?

Forbes

No seats, no sleepers nothing was available for four days.

The New York Times

Free hotline services, support groups and counseling were instantly made available to Ms. Jones, but nothing was available for Alehandro Morales.

Huffington Post

He spent most of the time on hold, and was told nothing was available for her, or that she'd have to wait at least one month.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was available for nothing", ensure the context clearly indicates that the item or service truly had no associated costs. Avoid ambiguity by specifying any potential hidden fees or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "was available for nothing" if there are associated requirements, such as mandatory registration, subscriptions, or data collection. Be transparent about any conditions for access.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was available for nothing" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular item or service could be obtained without any monetary cost. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was available for nothing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that could be obtained without cost. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. It has a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including news and general writing. While not as common as "was free", it effectively conveys the absence of any financial burden. Alternative phrasing includes "was free" and "was without charge". When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying that no hidden conditions or fees exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was free

Simply states that the item had no cost associated with it.

was without charge

Replaces "nothing" with "without charge" for a more formal tone.

was complimentary

Implies the item was offered as a courtesy or gift.

was provided gratis

Uses the Latin term "gratis" for emphasis on freeness, suitable for formal contexts.

was accessible at no cost

Replaces "available" and "for nothing" with synonyms, emphasizing accessibility.

was obtainable for zero price

Uses more explicit terms like "zero price" to clarify the absence of cost.

was given away

Highlights the act of giving something without expecting payment.

was on the house

An idiomatic expression, typically used when something is provided free by a business.

was furnished at no expense

Emphasizes that no financial outlay was required to obtain the item.

came free with

Indicates that something was free as part of a larger purchase or deal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was available for nothing" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "was without charge", "was provided gratis", or "was accessible at no cost" to convey a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "was available for free" instead of "was available for nothing"?

Yes, "was free" is a perfectly acceptable and often more common alternative. Both phrases essentially mean the same thing: that something could be obtained without any payment.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "was available for nothing"?

This phrase is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize that something had absolutely no cost associated with it. It's often used in news reports, general writing, and informal communications.

What's the difference between "was available for nothing" and "was on the house"?

"Was available for nothing" is a general term meaning something was free. "Was on the house" is an idiomatic expression indicating that a business is providing something free of charge as a courtesy.