are close to none

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are close to none" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are very few or almost no instances of something. Example: "Opportunities for advancement in this company are close to none, making it difficult for employees to grow their careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This may even be more important than the last tip - DO NOT BASE YOUR DECK OFF OF THE SHOW! !! It's unrealistic and the odds of some of the moves being played/cards being drawn in the show are close to none.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Obviously, the real-world viability of a product like this is close to none, but it's a nice way to start your Friday.

TechCrunch

In Sri Lanka, the returns to capital for men range from 6.5 to 14percentt while the returns for women were close to none; Similarly, in Ghana, the returns to capital for men were up to 26percentt while for women there were no gains.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Believe me when I say that at that point, options for other therapies and treatments were close to none.

Huffington Post

"This exceeds by far the student massacre from 1989, yet the international reaction is close to none," he said.

Vice

Til today Jews get married under a canopy, a tent with no walls, signifying that the couple should build a home that is closed to none.

Huffington Post

Although three small spacecraft for gamma-ray astronomy are close to launching, none capable of monitoring the entire sky in the same wide energy range.

The New York Times

All are effective defenders in some way, but none are close to Bradley's athletic standard.

The New York Times

Since last fall, Divine has laid off employees and cut funding to portfolio companies to nurture a promising few, although none are close to being market leaders.

Forbes

This new village was still shockingly close to the volcano's danger zone and while the structures were better than a tent, none are close to being finished.

Vice

But none of them are close to the pace of six interceptions a season that Reed is setting.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are close to none", ensure the context clearly indicates that you're referring to a quantity or possibility that is almost nonexistent. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing scarcity or a lack of options.

Common error

Avoid using "are close to none" when you simply mean something is difficult to find or obtain. The phrase implies a near-total absence, not just a challenge in acquiring something. Use alternative phrases like "are limited" or "are scarce" if the subject exists, but is not abundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are close to none" functions as a qualifier, indicating a state of near-absence or insignificance. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It modifies a noun or noun phrase to express that the quantity or likelihood is minimal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are close to none" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey that something is practically nonexistent. While it's not the most common phrase, Ludwig shows it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Its primary function is to emphasize a lack or scarcity, making it a strong choice when you need to highlight the near-absence of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English, it is key to ensure that the context clearly indicates the near-total absence you intend to express. Consider alternatives like "virtually nonexistent" or "almost nil" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are virtually non-existent

Emphasizes the near absence of something, implying it practically doesn't exist.

are almost nil

Highlights the insignificance of something, suggesting it's essentially zero.

are nearly absent

Indicates that something is lacking or missing to a high degree.

are few and far between

Suggests that instances of something are infrequent and dispersed.

are practically zero

Directly states that the quantity or likelihood is almost zero.

are in short supply

Indicates scarcity, suggesting that something is not readily available.

are thin on the ground

Implies that something is scarce or sparsely distributed.

are conspicuous by their absence

Highlights the noticeable lack of something, often implying it's expected or desired.

are as rare as hen's teeth

Uses an idiom to express extreme rarity.

are like gold dust

Indicates that something is highly valuable and hard to come by.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is close to none"?

When something "is close to none", it means it's nearly nonexistent or present in such a small quantity or degree that it's practically absent. This implies a very high level of scarcity or a near-zero probability.

How can I use "are close to none" in a sentence?

Use "are close to none" when you want to emphasize the extreme lack or absence of something. For instance, "Opportunities for promotion in this department "are close to none"." This conveys that there are almost no chances for advancement.

What are some alternatives to saying "are close to none"?

Alternatives include "are virtually nonexistent", "are almost nil", or "are nearly absent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the scarcity or lack of something.

Is it correct to say "is close to none" or should it always be "are close to none"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is close to none" when referring to a singular noun or concept, and "are close to none" for plural subjects. For example, "The chance of success "is close to none"," but "The available options "are close to none"."