Ningún vs. Sin Alguno

So I’ve seen the idea of “no ___” written with both ningún and alguno.
For example, “he had no idea” has been written as “no tenía idea alguna” and as “no tenía ninguna idea”.
Are the two interchangeable? Is one preferred?

I’m not a native speaker, however I believe that the most natural way to say in this case would be “No tenia ni idea”.

“No tenia ninguna idea” to me would mean that at that point of the time he couldn’t come up with any particular idea, not that he had no idea in a sense that he didn’t know.

“No tenia idea alguna” sounds bizarre and in my opinion is incorrect. Alguna should only be used in affirmative sentences meaning “some”.

I would be grateful though if some native speaker could confirm if my thinking is correct as I am not 100% sure.

Thank you.

  • (él) no tenía idea.
  • (él) no tenía ni idea.
  • (él) no tenía idea alguna.