borderline nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borderline nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost not present or barely exists at all. Example: "The support for the initiative was borderline nonexistent, leading to its eventual failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times

Nonexistent, really.

The New York Times - Science

"Borderline cocky.

The New York Times - Sports

Borderline unwatchable.

The Guardian - Sport

Borderline irresponsible.

The New York Times

Or nonexistent?

The New York Times

Fouling was nonexistent.

Desalination

Summer vacations nonexistent.

The New York Times - Sports

CROWD: Virtually nonexistent.

The New York Times

Social was almost nonexistent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Flip-flop category: nonexistent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "borderline nonexistent", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the subject is nearly, but not completely, absent. This avoids potential ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "borderline nonexistent" when something is completely absent. The phrase implies a very minimal presence, not a total absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline nonexistent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something exists or is present. It suggests that the subject is close to being completely absent. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "borderline nonexistent" is a grammatically correct but infrequently used adjectival phrase that describes something as being almost entirely absent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it's not particularly common, it can be effectively used to emphasize the near absence of something in various contexts. Alternatives such as "virtually absent", "nearly nonexistent", and "almost absent" offer similar meanings and can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Virtually absent

Emphasizes the near absence of something.

Nearly nonexistent

Highlights that something is close to not existing.

Almost absent

Indicates a state of being close to absent.

Practically absent

Indicates a state of being almost entirely absent.

Barely perceptible

Focuses on the difficulty in noticing or detecting something.

Scarcely present

Emphasizes the lack of presence.

Marginally existent

Indicates existence only to a small degree.

Faintly discernible

Highlights that something can just barely be made out.

Minimally present

Emphasizes a very small degree of presence.

Hardly there

Simple way of saying that something is barely present.

FAQs

What does "borderline nonexistent" mean?

The phrase "borderline nonexistent" means something is so close to not existing that it's almost as if it doesn't exist. It implies a minimal presence.

How can I use "borderline nonexistent" in a sentence?

You can use "borderline nonexistent" to describe something that has a very small or negligible presence. For example: "The support for the project was borderline nonexistent."

What are some alternatives to "borderline nonexistent"?

Alternatives include "virtually absent", "nearly nonexistent", or "almost absent". These phrases all convey a similar meaning of something being close to not existing.

Is "borderline nonexistent" grammatically correct?

Yes, "borderline nonexistent" is grammatically correct, although it's not a particularly common phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.