are nearly zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are nearly zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe quantities or values that are very close to zero, often in scientific or statistical contexts. Example: "The error margins in the experiment are nearly zero, indicating a high level of accuracy in the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

If you don't pick the right targets, the chances of addressing genuine problems are nearly zero.

The Guardian - Arts

The investment cost of a solar water heating system is very low, and the maintenance costs are nearly zero.

Energy Conversion and Management

Emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides are nearly zero, with just traces resulting from the engine's lubricating oil and the heat of combustion.

The New York Times

Now that the Supreme Court has rejected the case, "I think that the chances of succeeding on a scheme liability theory are nearly zero; the resolution of this Enron case was made clear by the decision" last week against investors in the cable TV suppliers suit, said Greg Markel, a lawyer who represents corporate clients in securities fraud lawsuits.

The New York Times

Their spin magnetic moments are nearly zero.

Nanoscale Research Letters

However, there are nearly zero Windows programs developed with a touch interface in mind.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Today, there are nearly fifteen hundred.

The New Yorker

Ceilings are nearly seven feet high.

The New York Times

There are nearly two million subscribers to carsharing services worldwide.

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

In India there are nearly four hundred fifty dye yielding plants.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

The games are nearly four hours old.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are nearly zero" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the units of measurement to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if you're referring to percentages, values, or quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "are nearly zero" when the values are demonstrably non-zero and potentially significant. In statistical analysis, even small deviations from zero can be meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are nearly zero" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the quantity or value being described is very close to zero. Ludwig AI examples show this usage in diverse contexts like emissions, probabilities, and error margins.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are nearly zero" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a value or quantity is very close to zero. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds application in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal writing. When using this phrase, consider more precise alternatives depending on the specific context and desired level of formality, like "are practically zero" or "are almost zero". While generally versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants the use of such a phrase, avoiding overstatements or misrepresentations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are practically zero

Emphasizes that the value is so close to zero that it can be treated as zero for practical purposes.

are almost zero

Indicates a very high degree of proximity to zero, differing slightly in emphasis.

are virtually zero

Highlights that the value is so close to zero that it has the same effect as being zero.

are essentially zero

Stresses the functional equivalence to zero.

are close to zero

A more general way of saying that the values are not exactly zero, but very near.

approximate zero

Suggests the values are not exactly zero but can be considered as such.

are negligibly small

Focuses on the insignificance of the quantity rather than its proximity to zero.

are vanishingly small

Highlights the extreme smallness of the values, implying they are approaching zero.

are next to nothing

An informal way to convey that the values are very small.

approach zero

Implies a trend or tendency toward zero, rather than a static state.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are nearly zero"?

The phrase "are nearly zero" is appropriate when you want to convey that a quantity or value is very close to zero, but not exactly zero. It's commonly used in contexts where precision is important, but the small difference from zero is insignificant for practical purposes.

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

You can use alternatives like "are practically zero", "are almost zero", or "are close to zero" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "are nearly zero" and "are exactly zero"?

Yes, "are nearly zero" implies the value is not precisely zero but extremely close, while "are exactly zero" means the value is precisely zero. Using "are nearly zero" acknowledges a small, possibly negligible, difference.

How do I use "are nearly zero" in a sentence?

You can use "are nearly zero" to describe quantities, values, or probabilities that are very small. For example, "The chances of winning the lottery "are nearly zero"" or "The error margins in the experiment "are nearly zero"".