are practically zero

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Unless he can reach new members and new people, I think his chances are practically zero".

The New York Times

But the odds that a flu vaccine would cause more harm than the illness itself are practically zero.

The New Yorker

"If it goes beyond time then the chances of a second day are practically zero," a Labour source said.

The Guardian

He reckons America's chances of shooting down an enemy missile next year, if peradventure it needed to, are "practically zero".

The Economist

The results of these tests strongly reject the hypothesis of homoscedasticity, as p-values are practically zero in all cases.

Financial Innovation

The results at the bottom part of Table 2 show that the p-values for the F-statistics are practically zero for all portfolios and deciles, suggesting strong statistical significance of the dummy variable model in (1).

Financial Innovation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There are practically two kinds of technical concerns to consider.

Advances in Heat Transfer

Visibility was practically zero.

The New Yorker

The correct social discount rate on the required investment is practically zero.

The Guardian - Opinion

In contrast to previous years, oil sands growth will be "practically zero" from 2009 to 2013, Mr. McColl said.

The New York Times

The new algorithm has no immediate applications, since existing ones are faster and their error probability can be made so small that it is practically zero.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical documentation, be precise: indicate that some readings, errors or values "are practically zero" when they have no practical effect on the application.

Common error

Avoid using "are practically zero" in contexts where a simple 'are zero' or 'are negligible' would suffice. Overuse can dilute the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are practically zero" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a quantity, probability, or effect that is so small as to be negligible. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is both grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are practically zero" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a quantity, probability, or effect that is negligible for all practical purposes. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in a range of contexts, particularly in science and news media, to convey that something is essentially non-existent or of minimal consequence. While various alternative phrases exist, such as ""are virtually nonexistent"" or ""are almost nil"", the key is to ensure that the chosen expression accurately reflects the intended level of insignificance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are virtually non-existent

Emphasizes the absence to a point of near impossibility.

are almost nil

Indicates an extremely small quantity or chance.

are essentially nothing

Focuses on the insignificance of the quantity.

are next to nothing

Highlights the minimal amount or impact.

are close to zero

Directly states the proximity to zero.

are nearly absent

Stresses the lack of presence.

are effectively void

Implies a complete lack of effect or value.

are hardly any

Suggests a very small and insignificant number.

are substantially reduced

Indicates a significant decrease, approaching zero.

are minimal

Highlights the very small size or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "are practically zero" in a sentence?

You can use "are practically zero" to describe situations where the quantity, probability, or impact is so small that it can be ignored. For example, "The chances of that happening "are practically zero"."

What does "are practically zero" mean?

"Are practically zero" means that something is so close to zero in quantity, effect, or probability that it is insignificant for all practical purposes. It suggests a negligible amount.

Which is more appropriate, "are practically zero" or "are virtually zero"?

Both "are practically zero" and "are virtually zero" are acceptable, but "are practically zero" emphasizes that the insignificance is based on practical considerations. Consider instead other options like "are virtually nonexistent" or "are almost nil".

Are there formal alternatives to "are practically zero"?

Yes, in formal contexts, you can use phrases like "are essentially zero", "are negligibly small", or "approximate to zero". These alternatives maintain a professional tone.