almost non-existent

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost non-existent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is barely present or barely noticeable. Example sentence: "Due to the pandemic, tourism in my town is almost non-existent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tarmac is almost non-existent.

The Economist

Almost non-existent.

The Washington Post

Crime is almost non-existent.

The Guardian

It has been almost non-existent.

The Economist

Party discipline is almost non-existent.

The Economist

Incidences of counterfeiting are almost non-existent.

The Economist

Clean water is almost non-existent.

The Guardian

Video cameras were almost non-existent.

The Guardian - Opinion

But advice on altitude sickness is almost non-existent.

The Guardian

Haiti has an almost non-existent medical care system.

The Guardian

The action is minimal and the dialogue almost non-existent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost non-existent", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or minimal. For example, "Due to budget cuts, resources are almost non-existent."

Common error

Avoid using "almost non-existent" when something is completely absent. Use "non-existent" instead to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost non-existent" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something exists, indicating it is present but in a minimal or negligible amount. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost non-existent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that serves to emphasize the near absence of something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English. Its versatility allows for its use across a spectrum of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business communications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the context definitively specifies what you're describing as virtually absent. The related phrases provided offer nuanced alternatives to refine your expression, ensuring accuracy in conveying the intended degree of absence or scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually non-existent

Replaces "almost" with "virtually", emphasizing the near absence.

practically non-existent

Substitutes "almost" with "practically", indicating a state very close to non-existence.

nearly non-existent

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", suggesting a slight difference from complete absence.

scarcely existent

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of existence.

vanishingly small

Highlights the extremely small quantity or degree.

effectively absent

Focuses on the functional absence, even if technically present.

barely perceptible

Indicates that something is almost impossible to notice or detect.

approaching zero

Uses a mathematical term to describe something close to nothing.

in negligible amounts

Specifies that the quantity is so small it can be disregarded.

borderline absent

Suggests that something is very close to being completely absent.

FAQs

How can I use "almost non-existent" in a sentence?

Use "almost non-existent" to describe something that is present to such a small degree that it's practically absent. Example: "Due to the drought, the water supply is "almost non-existent"".

What are some alternatives to saying "almost non-existent"?

Alternatives include "virtually non-existent", "practically non-existent", or "nearly non-existent", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "almost non-existent"?

Yes, "almost non-existent" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It accurately conveys that something is present to a minimal degree.

What is the difference between "almost non-existent" and "non-existent"?

"Almost non-existent" indicates that something is barely there, while "non-existent" means it doesn't exist at all. The former implies a minimal presence, while the latter implies complete absence.