Nothing means not anything, or something of no importance or value. As an adverb it means not at all. Example: There is nothing wrong with making mistakes when learning.
What Does Nothing Mean?
Nothing is an Old English compound formed from no and thing (Old English: naþing or nan þing). Its literal meaning — "no thing" — has remained stable since the earliest records of the language, making it one of the most enduring words in English. The pronunciation is /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ/, with stress on the first syllable.
In contemporary British English, nothing operates in three grammatical roles. As a pronoun it replaces a noun phrase to express total absence: "I found nothing in the bag." As a noun it can be the subject of a sentence and even take a plural in informal use: "the nothings he said to comfort her". As an adverb it intensifies a negative comparison: "This is nothing like what I expected." Understanding which role the word is playing helps learners use it accurately and avoid common errors.
Note that nothing already contains a negative meaning, so adding another negative word (not, never) creates a non-standard double negative. The phrase "I don't know nothing" is heard in some dialects but is incorrect in standard written English — use either "I know nothing" or "I don't know anything".
Etymology
The word derives from Old English nan þing ("no thing"), a compound of nan (none) and þing (thing). By the Middle English period it had merged into a single word, nothing or nothyng. The same root þing survives in modern English thing, and the prefix lives on in no, none, and nor. Related compounds formed on the same pattern include something, anything, and everything.
Example Sentences by CEFR Level
| Sentence | Level & Note |
|---|---|
| There is nothing in my bag. | A2 — simple existential sentence; pronoun use |
| There is nothing wrong with making mistakes when learning. | B1 — nothing wrong with collocation; gerund after with |
| She said nothing when the teacher asked the question. | B1 — pronoun as direct object; past tense narrative |
| The new policy has done nothing to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre. | B2 — do nothing to + infinitive; formal register |
| The evidence presented at the hearing was nothing short of conclusive, leaving the panel with no alternative verdict. | C1 — adverbial nothing short of; formal written style |
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning & Example |
|---|---|
| do nothing | take no action — He did nothing to help. |
| say nothing | remain silent — She said nothing and looked away. |
| mean nothing | have no significance — Those words mean nothing to me. |
| nothing at all | emphatic zero — I know nothing at all about it. |
| nothing much | very little — "What did you do?" "Nothing much." |
| nothing but | only — He eats nothing but pasta. |
| nothing short of | equivalent to; remarkable — It was nothing short of extraordinary. |
| for nothing | free of charge, or pointlessly — I waited an hour for nothing. |
| nothing to lose | no risk involved — Apply for the job — you have nothing to lose. |
| stop at nothing | be prepared to do anything — She will stop at nothing to win. |
Usage Notes
Three Key Points for ESL Learners
- Nothing takes a singular verb. Always write "Nothing was left" not "Nothing were left". The word feels plural in meaning but is grammatically singular.
- Nothing vs. anything. Use nothing in affirmative sentences to express a negative meaning ("There is nothing here"). Use anything after not or in questions ("There isn't anything here" / "Is there anything here?"). Both are correct; mixing the structures causes errors.
- Nothing as an adverb. Before an adjective or a comparative phrase, nothing means "not at all": "This is nothing like the original." This is more formal than "not at all like the original" and is common in journalism and academic writing.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I don't know nothing about the accident.
I know nothing about the accident. (nothing already makes the sentence negative)
I don't know anything about the accident. (anything used after the explicit negative don't)
Nothing are ready yet.
Nothing is ready yet. (nothing always takes a singular verb)
There was nothing interesting things to do.
There was nothing interesting to do. (nothing + adjective, no extra noun needed)