Zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Zero" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in various contexts, such as mathematics, programming, or to indicate a lack of quantity or value. Example: "The final score of the game was zero, indicating that neither team managed to score any points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I think the age of the universe has zero to do with how our economy is going to grow.

The New York Times

Open Mon-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 10am-2am The birthplace of the "Citywide Special" – an ice-cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam, now available almost anywhere in town – Bob and Barbara's is ground zero for this local "happy meal".

The Guardian - Travel

On the surface, this might seem as if it has absolutely zero relevance to the average American, who is more worried about whether he's going to outlive his nest egg than whether he'll leave a "legacy" for his children.

The Guardian - Money

It will obsess the British political class and reduce Britain's already damaged reputation in the EU to zero.

The Guardian

The channel has got off to a difficult start since launch, attracting small audiences – its breakfast show Wake Up London averaged 2,400 viewers, and on occasions registering a Barb score of zero viewers.

The Guardian

The troubled broadcaster, which suffered the dreaded zero audience rating for some of its shows after its launch on 31 March this year, was told by on Ofcom on Tuesday that the proposals were "significant variations" which would "substantially alter" its output.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"There's a fear among them that this is a zero-sum game; that there's a pre-defined cake and if you start talking about men, you're going to somehow eat a chunk of this cake that's taken them a long time to bake".

The Guardian

The OECD said this will prove more difficult in places such as Europe where there is near-zero inflation.

The Guardian - Business

By offering universal free insulation to communities, we'll cut bills, create jobs, and start the work of creating a housing stock fit for a zero-carbon economy.

The Guardian

Zero-hours contracts, which offer workers few or no guaranteed hours, will be more strictly limited.

The Guardian

In his drive to create a new political system in Hungary, Orbán appears to view politics as a zero-sum game where the winner takes all in a fight between good and evil.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about numerical data, ensure that you are consistent in representing "Zero" as a digit (0) or a word (zero), depending on the style guide you are following. Maintain this consistency throughout your document.

Common error

Be cautious not to confuse the number "Zero" (0) with the letter "O", especially in contexts where numerical values are critical. Always double-check for accuracy in technical or mathematical content.

Linguistic Context

The word "Zero" functions primarily as a noun representing the numerical value of 0 or the absence of quantity. It can also act as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of something (e.g., "zero tolerance"). Ludwig AI confirms the multiple grammatical functions in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "Zero" is a versatile word used to represent the numerical value 0, indicate a lack of something, or serve as a starting point. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as both a noun and an adjective, maintaining a neutral to formal register based on context. Its primary use is to quantify nothingness or emphasize a complete absence. With high frequency in news and business contexts, "Zero" is an essential term for clear and accurate communication. Remember to distinguish it from the letter "O" and choose between numeral "0" and word "Zero" according to your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nil

Emphasizes the absence of quantity or value, similar to zero.

Nothing

Highlights the lack of existence or presence.

None

Indicates the absence of any items or amount.

Naught

An archaic term for zero or nothing.

Void

Suggests emptiness or lack of content.

Zilch

An informal term indicating absolutely nothing.

Empty set

A mathematical term for a set containing no elements.

Love (in tennis)

A specific term for zero in tennis scoring.

A big fat zero

Emphasizes the complete lack of success or value.

Not a sausage

British slang indicating absolutely nothing.

FAQs

How do I use "Zero" in a sentence?

You can use "Zero" to represent the numerical value 0, to indicate a lack of something, or as a starting point. For example: "The temperature dropped to zero last night", "There is zero tolerance for discrimination", or "We are starting from zero".

What can I say instead of "Zero"?

You can use alternatives like "nil", "nothing", or "none" depending on the context.

When should I write "0" instead of "Zero"?

Use the numeral "0" when referring to numerical data, statistics, or measurements. Use the word "Zero" in more descriptive or qualitative contexts.

Is it correct to say "Zero" tolerance or "No" tolerance?

"Zero" tolerance and "No" tolerance are both acceptable. "Zero" tolerance emphasizes a complete absence of tolerance, while "No" tolerance simply indicates that tolerance is not allowed. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.