close to nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to nonexistent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that is almost non-existent or almost non-existent in amount, degree, or extent. Here is an example sentence: The amount of evidence to support his claim was close to nonexistent, making it difficult to believe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Many of their personal balance sheets are creaking under a load of debt, and savings are close to nonexistent.

The New York Times

While monkey bites can lead to rabies or a fatal form of the herpes virus, documented cases are "close to nonexistent," Dr. Fauci wrote.

The New York Times

"In addition, we've improved quality control measures that were close to nonexistent in the past because of a lack of funding".

The New York Times

As he competed against some of the best riders in the world on the Southern California circuit, his opportunities, at least when it came to getting on good horses, were close to nonexistent.

The New York Times

Even when she was alive, communication between her and her husband was close to nonexistent, although he now wonders if the mere fact of her living presence wasn't as close to human connection as life allows.

The New York Times

His administration goes out of its way to include her in news conferences even when the Council's role is close to nonexistent, whether the issue is Hurricane Irene or, as was the case last week, an announcement that New Yorkers were eating more fruits and vegetables.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The mirrored sequins on a Chanel dress cast reflections that flit across the walls like mischievous wraiths, and you may even detect a hint of "Harvey" (1950) — in which Jimmy Stewart was best friends with an invisible rabbit — as the doors of a hotel elevator open and close to let through a nonexistent guest.

The New Yorker

After 17:00 UT when the pump cycle changes to 2 min on, 2 min off, there also appears to be a gap of reduced or nonexistent backscatter close to the 32nd range gate.

Earth, Planets and Space

Ideas and emotions are played close to the chest, trust is nonexistent, and they start negating everything that isn't their idea.

Huffington Post

For both indexes, a value close to 0 is diagnostic of a weak or nonexistent phylogenetic structure, while values close to one are expected if the data follows a Brownian motion (BM) model of character evolution.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The effect on short-term US interest rates would therefore likely be minimal or nonexistent, particularly as the Federal Reserve currently aims to keep rates close to zero.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to nonexistent", ensure the context clarifies what is being described as nearly absent. For example, "The chance of rain is close to nonexistent."

Common error

Avoid using "close to nonexistent" when something is merely scarce or reduced, but still demonstrably present. The phrase implies a near-total absence, so use it accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to nonexistent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree or extent to which something is absent or lacking. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a state bordering on non-existence. The examples from Ludwig show its application in describing savings, opportunities, and growth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to nonexistent" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that serves to emphasize the near absence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations where something is severely lacking or practically non-existent. While the phrase is not overly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral register. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "almost nonexistent" or "virtually nonexistent". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being described and avoid using it when something is merely scarce rather than nearly absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nonexistent

Replaces "close to" with "almost", maintaining a similar degree of approximation.

virtually nonexistent

Substitutes "close to" with "virtually", emphasizing the near absence of something.

practically nonexistent

Replaces "close to" with "practically", highlighting the functional absence of something.

as good as nonexistent

Emphasizes that something is so close to not existing, it is effectively the same.

nearly absent

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the state of being almost completely absent.

borderline nonexistent

Suggests that something is on the edge of not existing at all.

effectively absent

Highlights the practical absence of something, even if it technically exists.

tantamount to nonexistent

Indicates that something is equivalent in effect to being nonexistent.

scarcely present

Indicates that something is barely there, with a focus on its presence.

next to nothing

Uses a more informal expression to convey a similar meaning of near absence.

FAQs

How can I use "close to nonexistent" in a sentence?

You can use "close to nonexistent" to describe something that is almost entirely lacking or absent. For instance, "The town's economy was close to nonexistent after the factory closed."

What is a good alternative to "close to nonexistent"?

Alternatives include "almost nonexistent", "virtually nonexistent", or "practically nonexistent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "nearly nonexistent" instead of "close to nonexistent"?

Yes, "nearly nonexistent" is a correct and semantically similar alternative. Both phrases convey that something is almost not there.

What's the difference between "close to nonexistent" and "minimal"?

"Close to nonexistent" implies a much greater degree of absence than "minimal". "Minimal" suggests a small amount exists, while "close to nonexistent" suggests almost none.