are nearly nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are nearly nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost absent or very rare in a particular context. Example: "In this region, public transportation options are nearly nonexistent, making it difficult for residents to commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Original or insightful comments about models are nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

The totems — architecturally significant houses, second-line parades, and historical markers — are nearly nonexistent.

The New Yorker

Vacancies, which soared to 1,500 in the 1990's, are nearly nonexistent now.

The New York Times

Contrary to desert stereotypes, sand dunes are nearly nonexistent, and stony desert surfaces are seldom visible except in the far southwestern portion of the state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sixty-six per cent of California's released inmates return to prison within three years, twice the national average, but rehabilitation programs are nearly nonexistent: most prisoners are never introduced to anything more remedial than a barbell.

The New Yorker

Yahoo with 17 percent, and Bing, from Microsoft, with 11 percent, offer modest competition in the United States, but they are nearly nonexistent in Europe, with less then 2 percent each, according to comScore.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

New home construction is nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

Chad's economy was nearly nonexistent.

The New Yorker

And (Boston, take note), the patronage vote was nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

Oversight by the regulators was nearly nonexistent, the reviewers said.

The New York Times

Scientific research on the educational value of apps is nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are nearly nonexistent", ensure the context clearly indicates what is scarce or absent. This phrase is effective for emphasizing a severe lack of something.

Common error

Avoid using "are nearly nonexistent" when something is merely uncommon but still present. The phrase implies a level of scarcity just short of complete absence; use "are uncommon" or "are rare" if the thing exists in small quantities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are nearly nonexistent" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun to describe its state of being almost completely absent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure accurately describes scarcity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are nearly nonexistent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that something is almost completely absent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the strong implication of scarcity and that alternative phrases like "are practically nonexistent" or "are virtually nonexistent" aren't more fitting. Avoid overstating the degree of absence; if something is just rare, use "are rare" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are practically nonexistent

Emphasizes the practical absence or irrelevance of something.

are virtually nonexistent

Highlights the lack of real presence or effect.

are essentially nonexistent

Focuses on the fundamental absence of something.

are almost absent

Directly states the near absence of something.

are close to zero

Quantifies the scarcity, indicating a value approaching zero.

are few and far between

Implies that something exists, but is rare and sparsely distributed.

are a rarity

Highlights the uncommon or unusual nature of something.

are thin on the ground

Indicates that something is scarce or difficult to find.

are in short supply

Focuses on the limited availability of something.

are conspicuous by their absence

Emphasizes that the lack of something is very noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "are nearly nonexistent" in a sentence?

Use "are nearly nonexistent" to describe something that is almost completely absent or extremely rare. For example, "Job opportunities in that small town "are nearly nonexistent"".

What are some alternatives to "are nearly nonexistent"?

You can use alternatives like "are practically nonexistent", "are virtually nonexistent", or "are essentially nonexistent" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "are nearly nonexistent" or "are completely nonexistent"?

"Are completely nonexistent" implies a total absence, while "are nearly nonexistent" suggests an almost complete absence. The best choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey. If something is not absolutely gone, "are nearly nonexistent" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "are nearly nonexistent" and "are rare"?

"Are rare" indicates that something exists but is uncommon. "Are nearly nonexistent" suggests a much greater degree of scarcity, implying that something is close to being completely absent. Use "are rare" when something exists in small quantities and "are nearly nonexistent" when something is on the verge of disappearing.