What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nil
Example
The team's score was nil at the end of the game. [nil: noun]
Example
There was nil chance of him winning the race. [nil: pronoun]
nothing
Example
There is nothing in the fridge to eat. [nothing: pronoun]
Example
The argument was about nothing important. [nothing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nothing is more commonly used than nil in everyday language. Nil is primarily used in sports or formal contexts, while nothing is used in a wider range of contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nil and nothing?
Nil is associated with a more formal tone, while nothing can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
