are almost nil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are almost nil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is very close to zero or negligible in quantity or degree. Example: "The chances of rain tomorrow are almost nil, so we can plan our outdoor event without worry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But the odds of turning up a price-fixing conspiracy are almost nil.

The New York Times

The odds on them all being there this time next year are almost nil.

The Guardian

The chances that these are consistent because of errors that cancel each other out are almost nil.

The Guardian - Sport

I still apply for jobs at the rate of about three per week, but my expectations are almost nil".

The New York Times

There they sit, drying for a week or so (the chances of rain are almost nil), until a sweeper comes along and gathers them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Several women, including Ms. Souhail, would like to extend the 25 percent quota to the ministries' leadership, but analysts agree the chances of that are almost nil.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Your visibility is almost nil," Blume said.

The New York Times

But their popular effect is almost nil.

The New Yorker

Now, "the foot traffic is almost nil".

The New York Times

The mineral prospecting in China was almost nil 50 years ago.

Science Progress in China

The unemployment rate along the corridor is almost nil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are almost nil" to emphasize a very low probability or quantity. It's suitable when you want to express that something is so close to zero that it's practically non-existent.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are almost nil" can sound slightly informal or understated in very formal writing. Consider using stronger or more precise alternatives like "are negligible" or "are virtually nonexistent" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are almost nil" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that its quantity or probability is extremely low, nearly zero. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are almost nil" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is virtually non-existent or negligible. Ludwig AI confirms this. While versatile, it appears most frequently in News & Media, and Science contexts. Alternatives such as "are virtually nonexistent" or "are practically zero" may be preferred for heightened formality. When employing "are almost nil", aim to stress the nearly complete absence of something while remaining mindful of the overall tone and purpose of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are virtually nonexistent

Replaces "almost nil" with "virtually nonexistent", emphasizing the lack of existence.

are practically zero

Substitutes "almost nil" with "practically zero", focusing on the numerical value of zero.

are in effect nonexistent

Combines "in effect" to emphasize that they're considered as nonexistent.

are nearly absent

Replaces "almost nil" with "nearly absent", highlighting the lack of presence.

are effectively nothing

Uses "effectively nothing" instead of "almost nil", stressing the insignificance.

are close to zero

Expresses the same meaning by stating proximity to zero instead of using "nil".

are as good as none

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something is essentially nonexistent.

are hardly any

Highlights the scarcity of something using the phrase "hardly any".

are substantially reduced

Focuses on the large reduction to near zero, rather than absence.

are dwindled to almost nothing

Emphasizes the process of diminishing to a negligible amount.

FAQs

What does "are almost nil" mean?

The phrase "are almost nil" means that something is very close to zero or is negligible. It indicates a minimal quantity, chance, or effect.

How can I use "are almost nil" in a sentence?

You can use "are almost nil" to describe probabilities, quantities, or effects that are so small they are practically non-existent. For example: "The chances of finding a cheaper option "are almost nil"."

What can I say instead of "are almost nil"?

You can use alternatives like "are virtually nonexistent", "are practically zero", or "are nearly absent" depending on the context.

Is "are almost nil" formal or informal?

While "are almost nil" is grammatically correct, it leans towards being slightly less formal. In highly formal contexts, consider using more precise or stronger alternatives such as "are negligible" or "are effectively nonexistent".