close to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to nothing" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It can be used in any context where you want to indicate that the amount or quantity of something is very small. For example: "After the fire, the family was left with close to nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And all of it costs you close to nothing.

The New York Times

I was a single guy consuming close to nothing.

The New York Times

Mrs Merkel has achieved close to nothing of what she promised in previous election manifestos.

The Economist

Close to nothing, as texts piggyback on other data transfers, including voice calls.

The New York Times

It's very good travel advice: be comfortable and bring close to nothing.

The New York Times

Not bad for a team that has done close to nothing this offseason.

The Guardian - Sport

"Apple so far has close to nothing in maps, because they never had a product before," Mr. Musser said.

The New York Times - Tech

After all, banks can just get money from the Federal Reserve and pay close to nothing for the privilege.

The New York Times

The accident's immediate health consequences were "very close to nothing," with "little to no" long-term health effects, he said.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Like, pretty-close-to-nothing less.

TechCrunch

My boyfriend has to put up with my irritability, my close-to-nothing appetite, everything that this drug is sucking out of me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to nothing" to emphasize a near absence of something, but be mindful that it isn't always interchangeable with 'nothing.' It implies a slight margin above zero.

Common error

Avoid using "close to nothing" when you truly mean 'absolutely nothing.' "Close to nothing" suggests a quantity slightly greater than zero, whereas 'nothing' indicates a complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to nothing" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent or degree to which something is lacking or minimal. It is used to emphasize a near-complete absence or insignificance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to nothing" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that something is nearly absent or insignificant. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s important to distinguish it from “nothing,” as "close to nothing" implies a value slightly above zero. It appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When writing, remember to use it when you want to emphasize a near absence, but be mindful of its precise meaning to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nothing

Indicates a quantity that is slightly higher than nothing but still minimal.

virtually nothing

Emphasizes that the quantity is so small it's practically non-existent.

next to nothing

Highlights the minimal amount, implying it's barely noticeable.

practically zero

Uses a numerical reference to underscore the lack of quantity.

scarcely anything

Emphasizes the scarcity or rarity of the quantity.

hardly anything

Highlights the difficulty in finding or obtaining any significant amount.

very little

A more general term indicating a small quantity.

a negligible amount

Stresses that the quantity is so small it can be disregarded.

a drop in the bucket

Uses a metaphor to indicate an insignificant quantity compared to the whole.

peanuts

Informal way to describe a quantity that is insignificant in value or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "close to nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "close to nothing" to indicate that something has a value or quantity that is nearly zero. For example, "The repairs cost "almost nothing"" or "After the market crash, his investments were worth "virtually nothing"".

What's a more formal alternative to "close to nothing"?

In a formal context, consider using "a negligible amount" or "an insignificant quantity" instead of "close to nothing". These phrases are more suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it always correct to use "close to nothing"?

While grammatically correct, "close to nothing" isn't always the best choice. If something is completely absent, using "nothing" is more accurate. "Close to nothing" implies a very small, but non-zero, quantity.

Which is more emphatic, "close to nothing" or "nothing"?

"Nothing" is more emphatic as it signifies a complete absence. "Close to nothing" suggests there might be a trace amount, but it's exceedingly small. So, the choice depends on the precise meaning you want to convey.