Learn English – ‘I have nothing’ vs. ‘I don’t have anything’

negation

What is the difference in meaning between the following sentences?

  • I have nothing.

  • I don't have anything.

Best Answer

There is a discussion of something similar between the novelists Ford Madox Ford and Joseph Conrad. Ford was trying to explain to Conrad the nuanced difference between "without a penny" and "penniless".

I have nothing could mean "Everything has been taken from me." (e.g. King Lear)

*I don't have anything" could mean "At the moment, I don't have an answer, I don't have any money on me, I have no contraband on my person, etc etc"