are close to zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are close to zero" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation in which the likelihood of success or the number of something is very small. For example, "The odds of winning this game are close to zero."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But, with software, marginal costs are close to zero.

The New Yorker

Nominal interest rates in many places are close to zero.

The Economist

The chart shows their lip angles are close to zero, meaning their mouths were mostly flat.

Independent

They have hardly any child mortality, so the rates for both sexes are close to zero.

The Economist

He says he thinks the odds of the council taking strong action "are close to zero".

The New York Times

But now, European sales are close to zero — not profitable at any cost.

The New York Times

New cases of Ebola are now at a low, and are close to zero.

Independent

Rates are close to zero; they can go negative, as Switzerland and others have shown.

The Economist

A whole generation of people have grown up with the idea that interest rates are close to zero.

The Guardian - Business

THE monetary economics of a world in which interest rates are close to zero are not especially mysterious.

The Economist

In her speech to the Tory conference, May has claimed that economic gains from high immigration are "close to zero".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing probabilities or risks, use "are close to zero" to convey an extremely low chance of occurrence, such as "The chances of that happening are close to zero".

Common error

Avoid using "are close to zero" when you actually mean "are zero". The phrase implies a small, but non-zero value. Using it inaccurately can mislead your audience about the precise quantity or probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are close to zero" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that a particular quantity, value, or probability is negligibly small. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are close to zero" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a quantity or probability that is negligibly small but not exactly zero. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English writing. It is frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts to downplay the significance of a value or likelihood. Alternatives such as ""are nearly zero"" or ""are virtually zero"" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid using this phrase when you mean an exact zero value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are nearly zero

This alternative directly replaces "close to" with "nearly", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

are virtually zero

Using "virtually" emphasizes that something is almost, but not quite, zero, adding a slight nuance of approximation.

are almost nonexistent

This phrase highlights the scarcity or lack of something, implying a near-zero quantity.

approach zero

This suggests a tendency towards zero, implying a dynamic process rather than a static state.

are tending to zero

Similar to "approach zero", this phrase explicitly indicates a directional movement toward zero.

are bordering on zero

This alternative indicates proximity to zero, emphasizing the minimal amount or likelihood involved.

are practically nil

This uses "nil" to denote a complete absence or nothingness, closely resembling zero.

are insignificant

This shifts the focus to the lack of importance or consequence, rather than the numerical value itself.

are vanishingly small

This alternative emphasizes the minute size or quantity, suggesting something is so small it's almost disappearing.

are effectively zero

Using "effectively" suggests that for practical purposes, the value can be treated as zero, despite not being exactly zero.

FAQs

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

You can use "are close to zero" to describe values or probabilities that are very small but not exactly zero. For example, "The error margins in this experiment "are close to zero"".

What are some alternatives to saying "are close to zero"?

Alternatives include "are nearly zero", "are virtually zero", or "are almost nonexistent", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are close to zero" in formal writing?

Yes, "are close to zero" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider whether a more precise term or measurement would be more appropriate for the specific context.

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

"Are close to zero" indicates a value is very small but not exactly zero. "Are equal to zero" means the value is precisely zero. The former implies approximation, while the latter indicates an exact value.