close to none

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to none" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that the amount of something is extremely small or near zero. For example, "I see that there are very few attendees here - close to none."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

We have thousands of gun deaths — eighty-four teens and children are among the nine hundred slaughtered by guns in the blink of an eye since the Newtown massacre — while the other countries that most closely resemble our own, from Australia to Canada to Britain, have something close to none.

The New Yorker

There would be no deduction for charitable giving, or close to none, angering wealthy donors and nonprofit directors.

The New York Times

Of those who don't think politics is inherently divisive, close to none left their political house of worship.

The Washington Post

This puts cloud providers under pressure to deliver data center management solutions and deployment plans in minimal time and with failure allowance close to none.

Computer Networks

There is little confidence — close to none — on either side that the Obama administration's goal of reaching a comprehensive deal in one year can be met.

The New York Times

The storage and encoding costs are close to none - $0.025 per GB.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Now 1-5, their worst start since 1989, the Cowboys have playoff chances that would be considered closer to none than slim.

The New York Times - Sports

Til today Jews get married under a canopy, a tent with no walls, signifying that the couple should build a home that is closed to none.

Huffington Post

I own five successful restaurants in Seattle, but I recently came very close to owning none.

Harvard Business Review

You won't complain about too many buttons on this phone; it comes very close to having none at all.

The New York Times

"Daley was a gregarious loner, the authors write, "acquainted with thousands of people but close to almost none.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to none" to emphasize a near-complete absence of something, adding a stronger impact than simply saying "few" or "some". It's especially effective when contrasting it with a previously expected higher quantity.

Common error

While "close to none" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in very informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost none" or "hardly any" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to none" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a very small quantity or near absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by various examples across different sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to none" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey that something is nearly absent or exists in a very small quantity. Ludwig AI supports its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. Although it's generally considered neutral in register, it's best to avoid overusing it in highly informal settings. Alternatives like "almost nonexistent" or "virtually absent" can be used for similar effect. Remember to employ "close to none" to emphasize a near-complete absence, making your writing more impactful. With a source quality score of 82 and an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a reliable choice for expressing scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nonexistent

Emphasizes the rarity or virtual absence of something.

virtually absent

Highlights the lack of presence in a strong way.

practically none

Stresses the insignificance of the amount present.

hardly any

Indicates a small quantity, but slightly more than "close to none".

next to nothing

Emphasizes the minimal value or amount.

vanishingly few

Implies a rapid decline in quantity to near zero.

scarcely any

Similar to 'hardly any' but might suggest a more surprising lack.

a negligible amount

Focuses on the unimportance of the existing quantity.

almost nil

Uses a more technical term to suggest zero or nothing.

barely any

Highlights the difficulty in finding even a small amount.

FAQs

How can I use "close to none" in a sentence?

Use "close to none" to indicate that the quantity or amount of something is extremely small or virtually nonexistent. For example, "There was "close to none" traffic on the road at that hour".

What are some alternatives to "close to none"?

Alternatives include "almost nonexistent", "virtually absent", or "practically none". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "close to none" grammatically correct?

Yes, "close to none" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing to express a near absence of something.

What's the difference between "close to none" and "few to none"?

"Close to none" emphasizes the minimal quantity, suggesting it's almost zero. "Few to none" /s/few+to+none indicates that there might be a small number, but it's insignificant. The distinction is subtle and often context-dependent.