brought down to zero

USAGE SUMMARY

"brought down to zero" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been greatly reduced, especially on a numerical scale. For example: "The unemployment rate was brought down to zero last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

While it is the first increase since rates were brought down to zero in 2008, it is the first overall rise since 2006.

The Guardian - Business

"If the world puts all its resources into finding ways to generate power without burning fossil fuels, and if there were international agreements that action must happen instantly, and if carbon emissions were brought down to zero before 2050, then a rise of no more than 1.5C might just be achieved," said Dr Ben Sanderson of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

The Guardian

In the late 1980s, a grand deal was struck: Labor would moderate its demands, freer trade was pursued and corporate tax rates were brought down to zero for multinationals investing in Ireland.

Forbes

In practice, emissions have to be brought down to zero by mid-century.

Yale University

Unabashed at sharing some opinions with the British National Party, the UK Independence Party and the Daily Mail, the OPT wants net immigration brought down to zero.

The Guardian

Speaking Friday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Luis de Guindos, the Spanish economics minister, elaborated on the new targets set by Madrid for the regions, emphasizing that their structural deficits would need to be brought down to zero by 2020.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Instead, Lucas reduced his plans for the nascent franchise to nine movies (later brought down to six).

The Guardian - Film

A year ago, the President said that he expected unemployment to be brought down to four per cent - a level generally regarded as tolerable in a changing industrial society - by the middle of 1963.

The New Yorker

In fact, the oldest person allowed within a two-mile radius of the auditions is 24 (29 in "real life", but 24 in pop years), with the age range for the youngest contestants brought down to eight following the success of 2015 under-11 rap collective, Kidz Say The Stupidest Thingz.

The Guardian - Music

Then over the course of four years it was brought down to six months.

BBC

Thanks to recent advances in cell biology, that threshold can be brought down to about eight weeks in the lab.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what is being "brought down to zero". For instance, instead of just saying "emissions must be brought down to zero", consider specifying "carbon emissions must be brought down to zero by 2050".

Common error

While "brought down to zero" is acceptable, overuse in formal reports can sound less precise than alternatives. Consider using more specific terms like "eliminated", "nullified", or "reduced to nil" /s/reduced+to+nil to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought down to zero" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of reduction to the absolute minimum or nothing. Ludwig's AI confirms it is appropriate for English writing, and examples from various sources show its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brought down to zero" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the reduction of something to its absolute minimum. Ludwig's AI affirms its correct usage, supported by examples from diverse sources, predominantly in the news media. While versatile, it's most impactful when the subject being reduced is clearly specified. When writing, be mindful of potentially more precise language for formal reporting. Consider synonyms like "eliminated completely" or "reduced to nil" /s/reduced+to+nil for enhanced clarity and precision. The phrase's intent is to convey ambition and a clear goal of eradicating something undesirable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced to nil

Focuses on reaching a state of nothingness or non-existence, emphasizing the end result.

minimized to nothing

Emphasizes the act of reducing something as much as possible, to the point of insignificance.

decreased to nothing

Emphasizes the process of diminishing or lessening until a zero value is reached.

eliminated entirely

Highlights the complete removal or eradication of something, implying a forceful action.

whittled down to zero

Suggests a gradual and careful reduction, often through a process of refinement or elimination.

diminished to naught

Similar to 'reduced to nil' but uses a more archaic or literary term ('naught') for zero.

annulled completely

Focuses on the cancellation or invalidation of something, bringing its effect to zero.

eradicated completely

Focuses on the thorough and permanent removal of something undesirable.

brought to a standstill

Implies cessation of movement or activity, rather than numerical reduction, but still conveys a state of zero progress.

cut to the bone

Figurative phrase implying severe reduction, often in budgetary contexts, leaving only the essentials.

FAQs

How can I use "brought down to zero" in a sentence?

Use "brought down to zero" to describe the act of reducing something to nothing or to its lowest possible level. For example, "The goal is to have the number of errors "brought down to zero" by next quarter."

What's a more formal way to say "brought down to zero"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "eliminated completely", "reduced to nil" /s/reduced+to+nil, or "nullified" for a more professional tone.

Is it always realistic to aim for something to be "brought down to zero"?

While aiming to have something "brought down to zero" /s/brought+down+to+zero is a good intention, it's important to assess the feasibility of achieving such a goal. Depending on the situation, aiming for substantial reduction may be more practical.

What are some common things people want to have "brought down to zero"?

Common examples include emissions, errors, debt, and defects. The phrase emphasizes the ambition to minimize these undesirable elements entirely. It's important to specify what is targeted, for example, "bring emissions down to zero".