all but nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"all but nothing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to express a sense of near finality, and is most often used in the form of "all but nothing left". For example, "The tornado left the town all but nothing".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We do much to treat disease, all but nothing to cultivate health at its origins.

Huffington Post

In 2004, the band released two songs, "Bam Thwok" and a cover of Warren Zevon's "Ain't That Pretty at All," but nothing followed.

The New York Times - Arts

And she must have felt the same, because when it came to pudding she changed her mind and said that she would have one after all, but nothing sticky and filling, so she had the lychees.

The New Yorker

Instead, Yahoo values its Alibaba stake at all but nothing, at least in comparison to what its value may be when the Asian technology giant goes public.

TechCrunch

But I liked that we did that honestly, instead of a granting a faux follow that in practice means all but nothing.

TechCrunch

Victorian London is cool and all, but nothing about it feels very Assassin's Creed: this is a game that forged it's identity in the ancient middle east and renaissance Italy, and zipping through the foggy streets of London just doesn't have the same impact as looking out crusades-era Jerusalem.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

More than likely!"; "Sheldon [the new sublibrarian] has started: seems all right, but nothing to write home about"; "Oh dear.

The New Yorker

They've juggled all the positions but nothing has developed".

The Guardian - Sport

It was useful and we use it all the time, but nothing much new was there.

University of California, Berkeley

"You are up and down ladders all the time but nothing beats working outdoors.

The Guardian - Money

"Day in, day out, I talk to all the agents, but nothing has come up yet," Kreuzer added.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but nothing" to emphasize a near-complete absence or a value that is close to zero, creating a sense of finality or insignificance.

Common error

Avoid using "all but nothing" when a substantial amount or value remains. The phrase implies near-total absence, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation to prevent exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but nothing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a state of near absence or insignificance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, highlighting its role in expressing a near finality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all but nothing" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express a near-complete absence or insignificance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Appearing most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for various formal and informal writing. To enhance clarity and precision, consider alternatives like ""virtually nothing"" or "almost nothing". When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the near-total absence you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually nothing

Indicates an amount or degree that is so small as to be almost nonexistent.

almost nothing

Signifies a quantity that is very close to zero, with a slightly less emphatic tone.

next to nothing

Implies a minimal quantity or value, emphasizing the lack of significance.

practically nothing

Highlights the negligible practical impact or consequence of something.

barely anything

Suggests that something exists only in the smallest possible amount.

scarcely anything

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of something's existence.

hardly anything

Implies that something exists but to such a small degree that it is nearly absent.

effectively nothing

Focuses on the outcome or result being the same as if nothing were present.

tantamount to nothing

Indicates that something is equivalent to having no value or effect.

as good as nothing

Emphasizes the lack of value or usefulness of something, suggesting it is practically worthless.

FAQs

What does "all but nothing" mean?

The phrase "all but nothing" means almost nothing or very close to zero. It suggests that something is nearly absent or has a negligible effect.

How can I use "all but nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "all but nothing" to describe a situation where very little remains. For example, "The storm left the town "virtually nothing" standing."

Are there synonyms for "all but nothing"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "almost nothing", "next to nothing", or "practically nothing" as alternatives to "all but nothing".

Is "all but nothing" a formal or informal expression?

"All but nothing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the writing. It's suitable for describing situations where minimal quantity or effect is important to emphasize.