almost zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost zero" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe a very small or insignificant amount or degree of something. Example: The chances of winning the lottery are almost zero.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost zero, you know.

The Guardian

"We started off almost zero year.

Independent

Their voting records have almost zero overlap.

The New York Times

"There's almost zero inconclusive results now.

The New York Times - Arts

That is almost zero percent.

MIT Technology Review

The number is almost zero".

The Guardian - Business

Mitochondrial pyruvate transport was almost zero.

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering

"He had almost zero chance to win".

The New York Times

"The barriers to entry are almost zero.

The Guardian

"I believe it is almost zero years.

The New Yorker

The answer is we've made almost zero progress.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost zero" to convey a quantity or likelihood that is extremely small, bordering on nonexistent. It's effective for emphasizing the insignificance of something.

Common error

Avoid using "almost zero" when a more precise figure is available and relevant. While it conveys general insignificance, providing exact numbers adds credibility when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost zero" functions primarily as a quantifier, specifically indicating a quantity that is negligibly small. Ludwig's examples show its use across diverse contexts to express near absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost zero" is a versatile and frequently used quantifier that expresses a negligible amount or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its prevalence across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Alternatives like "virtually nonexistent" and "negligibly small" can be used for similar emphasis. When using "almost zero", remember that it is most appropriate when a precise measurement is not necessary or when emphasizing the insignificance of a quantity is key. Be aware that using a very precise number can give more credibility to the sentence instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually nonexistent

Implies something exists in name only; even closer to complete absence than "almost zero".

negligibly small

Focuses on the insignificant size or impact, emphasizing its relative unimportance.

vanishingly small

Emphasizes the idea that something is disappearing or becoming so small as to be unnoticeable.

next to nothing

Informal way to express a very small amount, focusing on the lack of quantity.

practically nil

A more formal expression indicating something is almost nothing.

scarcely any

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of something, suggesting a very small quantity.

close to none

Indicates a situation that barely registers, close to complete absence.

effectively absent

Implies something is functionally missing or has no practical effect.

barely perceptible

Emphasizes that something is so small it is difficult to notice or detect.

inconsequential amount

Highlights that some value is irrelevant or so small that it doesn't matter.

FAQs

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

Use "almost zero" to describe quantities or probabilities that are very close to nothing, such as: "The chance of that happening is "almost zero"" or "The cost was "almost zero"".

What phrases can I use instead of "almost zero"?

Alternatives include "virtually nonexistent", "negligibly small", or "next to nothing", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "almost zero" or "actually zero"?

If something is truly nonexistent, use "actually zero". Use "almost zero" when there's a very slight chance or amount, however insignificant, remaining. For example, if something is free you can say that has "almost zero" cost but it will require some effort from you.

What's the difference between "almost zero" and "close to zero"?

"Almost zero" and "close to zero" are quite similar, but "almost zero" might imply an even smaller value than "close to zero". Both suggest a value near nothing, but "almost" can emphasize extreme proximity.