are close to nil

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The chances of success are close to nil.

The New Yorker

The chances of him ever coaching again at the college level are close to nil.

The New York Times

If the inspectors cannot examine trees on private property, the chances of success are close to nil, entomologists say.

The New York Times

What they're doing isn't exactly tanking, even without Deng their chances of landing a top draft pick are close to nil.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet for all the merits of the argument, the chances of the policy's being more widely adopted are close to nil.

The New York Times

Even if they do, the many residents who depended on Tepco for employment accept that with the plant ruined, their chances of finding work in the area are close to nil.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Savings were close to nil until the economic collapse but have been rising ever since.

Harvard Business Review

The collective combat experience of these men was close to nil; their diplomatic experience was smaller.

The New Yorker

The clinical value of this genomic information would seem to be close to nil.

The New York Times - Science

All my friends exult over title after title, yet my experience with current fiction is close to nil.

The New York Times - Books

While oil prices spiked before the Persian Gulf war and plummeted afterward, the long-term impact has been close to nil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are close to nil", ensure the context clearly indicates a situation of near-zero probability or quantity. Avoid using it in situations where a more precise numerical value would be more appropriate.

Common error

While "are close to nil" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal or scientific writing can sound less precise. Opt for alternatives like "negligible" or "almost zero" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are close to nil" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, describing its state or quantity as being nearly non-existent. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage, confirming its grammatical correctness and practical applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are close to nil" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a near-zero probability or quantity. According to Ludwig, this phrase functions as a predicative adjective, effectively describing the minimal state of something. While versatile across various contexts like news, science, and business, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in highly academic settings. The choice between "are close to nil" and similar phrases such as "are virtually nonexistent" or "are almost zero" often depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are virtually nonexistent

Replaces 'close to nil' with 'virtually nonexistent' for a stronger emphasis on absence.

are almost zero

Substitutes 'close to nil' with 'almost zero' for a more numerical expression of insignificance.

are practically nothing

Replaces 'close to nil' with 'practically nothing' to indicate a very small amount or effect.

are next to nothing

Similar to 'practically nothing', but with a slightly more colloquial tone.

are effectively absent

Emphasizes the lack of presence or impact.

are barely measurable

Focuses on the difficulty of quantifying something due to its minimal presence.

are vanishingly small

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary to describe something that is extremely small or unlikely.

have minimal likelihood

Shifts the focus to the probability of something occurring, indicating it's very unlikely.

are as good as none

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the idea of near nonexistence.

are of negligible value

Highlights the insignificance of something in terms of its worth or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "are close to nil" in a sentence?

You can use "are close to nil" to describe something that has a very low probability or is almost non-existent. For instance, "The chances of finding a parking spot downtown on a Saturday night are close to nil".

What phrases are similar to "are close to nil"?

Several phrases convey a similar meaning, including "are virtually nonexistent", "are almost zero", and "are practically nothing".

Is "are close to nil" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "are close to nil" might sound less precise in highly formal contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "negligible" or "approaching zero" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "are close to nil" and "are next to nil"?

The phrases "are close to nil" and "are next to nil" are nearly interchangeable. Both indicate a minimal amount or probability, with "are next to nil" possibly carrying a slightly more informal connotation.