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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

None or nothing

Hi

Could you please tell me if I should use none or nothing in this sentence?

She tried to look at the silver lining in that situation but found none.

She tried to look at the silver lining in that situation but found nothing.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

The former means that she didn't find a silver lining (none as pronoun), while the latter means that she didn't find anything (nothing as noun). I'd go for the latter; you can't really find a silver lining, right? You find other things that make up one.

— Ferdis

  • The former means that she didn't find a silver lining (none as pronoun), while the latter means that she didn't find anything (nothing as noun).
  • I'd go for the latter; you can't really find a silver lining, right?
  • You find other things that make up one.
  • (maybe I'm wrong here...
  • )
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5 Answers
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The former means that she didn't find a silver lining (none as pronoun), while the latter means that she didn't find anything (nothing as noun). I'd go for the latter; you can't really find a silver lining, right? You find other things that make up one. (maybe I'm wrong here... ?)
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I would agree with Ferdis's analysis; but "none" is fine, and "look for" should replace "look at".

You could also say:

1. She tried to look for the silver lining in that situation but didn't find one.

Best wishes,

MrP
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I'd actually suggest "but couldn't find one."
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Oops. If only I were a faster typist than Mr. P then *I* would look like the smart one instead of the copy cat Emotion: smile
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(Actually, I think I prefer your "couldn't".)
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