approaching zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approaching zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a value that is getting closer to zero, often in mathematical, scientific, or statistical discussions. Example: "As the temperature drops throughout the night, it is expected to be approaching zero by morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Theoretically, at dead space approaching zero, VT could be reduced toward zero at very high respiratory rates.

Critical Care

When mean risk was higher than the cutpoint, the two measures dropped with the difference in Net Benefit approaching zero with increasing risk.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Nowadays, recording costs are "approaching zero".

The Guardian - Books

But in the visible region, absorption drops off, approaching zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Open universes expand forever, with the expansion rate never approaching zero.

Cornell University

As x increases, the ratio of f(x) to g(x) is an asymptote approaching zero.

The New York Times

With their bank balance approaching zero, Ms. Shapiro applied for public assistance.

The New York Times

They see no reason to assume that the multiplier is approaching zero.

The Washington Post

The number of bills enacted per session is fast approaching zero.

The Washington Post

By the late 1960's, deaths in India were approaching zero.

The New York Times - Magazine

The new nonlinear weights approach to the optimal weights as the smoothness indicators approaching zero.

Computers & Fluids

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approaching zero", ensure the context clearly indicates what quantity is diminishing. For example, specify "the error rate is approaching zero" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "approaching zero" when the quantity is merely small but not actively decreasing. For example, if a value is consistently 0.01, it's small, but not necessarily "approaching zero" unless it's actively diminishing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approaching zero" typically functions as a descriptive modifier, often acting as part of a predicate adjective or adverbial phrase. As Ludwig confirms, it describes a state or trend where a value is nearing zero. Examples from Ludwig showcase this function in scientific, financial, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approaching zero" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a value that is nearing zero. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is primarily descriptive, and it is found frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates what is diminishing and the rate at which it approaches zero. Ludwig examples demonstrate its varied use, from describing error rates to economic growth, highlighting its adaptability across domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tending to zero

Focuses on the tendency or direction of movement toward zero.

nearing zero

Indicates a state of being close to zero.

converging to zero

Emphasizes the mathematical concept of convergence toward zero.

getting close to zero

A more informal way of saying "approaching zero".

diminishing to zero

Highlights the action of decreasing until reaching zero.

declining to zero

Similar to diminishing but emphasizes a downward trend.

reducing to zero

Focuses on the reduction process leading to zero.

vanishing to zero

Suggests a disappearance or fading away to zero.

moving towards zero

Describes the directional movement toward zero.

close to null

Uses "null" as a synonym for zero, often used in technical contexts.

FAQs

How to use "approaching zero" in a sentence?

You can use "approaching zero" to describe a quantity that is getting closer to zero. For example, "As the experiment continues, the margin of error is "approaching zero"".

What can I say instead of "approaching zero"?

You can use alternatives like "tending to zero", "nearing zero", or "getting close to zero" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "approaching zero" or "approaches zero"?

"Approaching zero" describes a continuous process of getting closer to zero, while "approaches zero" describes a single instance of getting close to zero. The choice depends on whether you're describing a trend or a specific event.

What's the difference between "approaching zero" and "equal to zero"?

"Approaching zero" indicates that a value is getting closer to zero but has not yet reached it. "Equal to zero" means the value is exactly zero. They are not interchangeable.