almost nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "almost nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is almost non-existent or nearly impossible to find. Example: Due to their rareness, replacement parts for this type of car are almost nonexistent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Pottery was almost nonexistent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Black men are almost nonexistent.

The New York Times

Negotiations have been almost nonexistent.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost nonexistent in some cases.

The New Yorker

Support was almost nonexistent.

The Guardian

"The cellphone reception is almost nonexistent here.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They are almost nonexistent," Mr. Sacconaghi said.

The New York Times - Tech

Political opposition is almost nonexistent.

The New York Times

His assistant seems almost nonexistent.

The New York Times - Food

Internet connections are almost nonexistent.

The New York Times

Coin phones are almost nonexistent.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost nonexistent" to effectively convey that something has a minimal presence or impact, but avoid overusing it in close proximity to other similar phrases.

Common error

Avoid using "almost nonexistent" when you actually mean something is completely absent. The phrase specifically indicates a very slight existence, not total absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost nonexistent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something exists or is present. It indicates a state of near absence, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples where it modifies nouns like "pottery", "support", and "cellphone reception".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Forbes

5%

Huffington Post

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost nonexistent" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that is barely present or has a minimal impact. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is correct and usable in written English. It functions as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing the rarity or near absence of something across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, and science, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of absence you intend to convey, and consider alternatives like "virtually absent" or "scarcely present" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually absent

Indicates a near-complete absence, similar to "almost nonexistent" but may imply a slightly stronger degree of absence.

practically non-existent

Very close in meaning to "almost nonexistent", emphasizing the practical effect of the absence.

nearly absent

Shares the same meaning, indicating something is close to being completely gone or not present.

scarcely present

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of something's presence.

thin on the ground

An idiomatic expression suggesting that something is rare or hard to find.

few and far between

Emphasizes the rarity and wide distribution of instances of something.

conspicuously absent

Highlights the absence as being noticeable or remarkable.

vanishingly small

Suggests a quantity or amount is so small it's approaching zero.

at a minimum

Indicates the quantity or amount is so small it's approaching zero. Is also an understatement (Litotes).

rarely found

Emphasizes the infrequency of encountering or discovering something.

FAQs

How can I use "almost nonexistent" in a sentence?

You can use "almost nonexistent" to describe something that is barely present or has a minimal impact. For example, "The town's economy was "almost nonexistent" after the factory closed."

What's a more formal alternative to "almost nonexistent"?

A more formal alternative could be "virtually absent" or "negligible". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "almost nonexistent" and "nonexistent"?

"Almost nonexistent" indicates that something exists to a very small degree, while "nonexistent" means it does not exist at all. The former implies a trace presence, whereas the latter implies complete absence.

Is it redundant to say "almost nonexistent"?

While it might seem somewhat redundant, "almost nonexistent" is a common and accepted way to emphasize the minimal presence of something. It's used to create a stronger impression than simply saying something is "rare" or "uncommon".