Virtually nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Virtually nothing.

The New Yorker

Virtually nothing has been disbursed.

The Economist

"Virtually nothing has happened," he said tonight.

The New York Times

Virtually nothing happens in "Oedipus Rex".

The New York Times

Virtually nothing is known concerning the species' breeding biology.

Cornell University

Virtually nothing has been rebuilt in Pass Christian.

The New Yorker

Virtually nothing is known about its function.

Science Magazine

Virtually nothing is off limits.

Forbes

Virtually nothing is known about Hd3a long-distance trafficking.

Rice

Virtually nothing is known of its biology.

Wikipedia

Virtually nothing, from one side.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually nothing" to emphasize that something is so close to zero that it has no real effect or consequence. For example, "The new policy changed virtually nothing about the daily operations."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually nothing" when there is a measurable, even if small, quantity. "Almost nothing" might be more appropriate in cases where a slight amount exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually nothing" functions as an adverbial modifier, quantifying the degree to which something exists or occurs. It indicates a minimal or negligible amount. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually nothing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates a minimal or negligible amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and academia, to emphasize the absence or insignificance of something. Alternatives like "almost nothing" or "practically nothing" can be used, depending on the nuance desired. When using "virtually nothing", ensure that you are truly describing something that is close to zero and not overstating the absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nothing

Emphasizes the near absence of something, slightly more common in everyday speech.

next to nothing

Emphasizes the insignificance of the quantity.

practically nothing

Highlights the lack of practical impact or significance.

nearly nothing

Suggests a quantity so small it's close to zero.

scarcely anything

Indicates a very small amount, often implying a struggle to find even that little.

hardly anything

Similar to scarcely anything, suggesting a minimal amount with a hint of surprise or disbelief.

barely anything

Similar to scarcely and hardly, implying a minimal and perhaps inadequate amount.

effectively nothing

Focuses on the lack of any real or meaningful effect.

essentially nothing

Highlights the fundamental absence of something.

a negligible amount

Formally indicates that the quantity is so small that it doesn't matter.

FAQs

What does "virtually nothing" mean?

The phrase "virtually nothing" means almost nothing, or so little that it has no practical effect or significance. It indicates a quantity or impact that is close to zero.

What can I say instead of "virtually nothing"?

You can use alternatives like "almost nothing", "practically nothing", or "nearly nothing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there's virtually nothing"?

Yes, it is correct to say "there's virtually nothing". This phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used to express that there is almost nothing of something.

What is the difference between "virtually nothing" and "absolutely nothing"?

"Virtually nothing" implies a quantity or impact that is extremely small but technically not zero, while "absolutely nothing" means there is nothing at all. The former suggests a negligible amount, whereas the latter asserts a complete absence.