Practically nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Practically nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is almost no amount or quantity of something. Example: "After the storm, there was practically nothing left of the old barn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Practically nothing.

The New Yorker

"Practically nothing depends on the people here," he said.

The New York Times

Or practically nothing.

The New Yorker

"For practically nothing.

The New York Times

Furniture brought practically nothing.

The New Yorker

They get practically nothing.

The New York Times

"Well… practically nothing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nothing did, or practically nothing.

The New Yorker

The answer is: practically nothing.

The Guardian - Tech

They are paying practically nothing.

The Guardian

We know practically nothing at this point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Practically nothing" to emphasize the insignificance or near absence of something, ensuring the context aligns with this meaning. For example, "The project cost us practically nothing because we utilized open-source tools."

Common error

Avoid using "Practically nothing" when you mean a small but significant amount. Ensure that the context accurately reflects a near-zero quantity or impact. For example, instead of saying "He contributed practically nothing to the team's success" when he made a minor contribution, consider "He contributed only a little to the team's success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Practically nothing" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a quantity or degree that is nearly zero or insignificant. It is used to emphasize the minimal amount or impact of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Practically nothing" is a common and versatile expression used to convey the near absence or insignificance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially within news and media. While alternatives like "almost nothing" or "virtually nothing" exist, "Practically nothing" effectively emphasizes the minimal impact or quantity. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of absence to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost nothing

Emphasizes the near absence of something, slightly less formal.

Virtually nothing

Implies a lack of practical effect or consequence.

Essentially nothing

Highlights the negligible importance or impact of something.

Basically nothing

Suggests a simplified view where the amount is close to zero.

Hardly anything

Indicates a very small quantity or degree.

Next to nothing

Suggests an amount so small it's almost non-existent.

Scarcely anything

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of something.

Barely anything

Highlights the minimal sufficiency or achievement.

Nothing much

More conversational, downplaying the significance.

Little or nothing

Formally expresses the scarcity or absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "Practically nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "Practically nothing" to emphasize the near absence or insignificance of something. For example: "After the fire, there was "practically nothing" left of the house."

What can I say instead of "Practically nothing"?

You can use alternatives like "almost nothing", "virtually nothing", or "essentially nothing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "practically none" instead of "Practically nothing"?

While "Practically none" is grammatically correct, it's typically used with countable nouns. "Practically nothing" is more commonly used for uncountable nouns or in a broader sense of absence.

What's the difference between "Practically nothing" and "Close to nothing"?

"Practically nothing" and "close to nothing" are very similar. "Close to nothing" might slightly imply a closer proximity to absolute zero, but they are often interchangeable.