compared to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compared to nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison that emphasizes the insignificance or lack of value of something in relation to another. Example: "The effort he put into the project was compared to nothing when considering the resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The amount of outstanding policies had reached a total of $838,375 in May of 1948, compared to nothing in February of the same year.

Cornell University

"It was a frenzy compared to nothing, but it was not a frenzy compared to last year or previous years," the agent Brad Blank said.

The New York Times

Indeed, donors came up with an additional $9000 for each additional person killed -- compared to nothing for each additional living victim.

HuffPost

Nissan's lease also requires a $1,999 down payment, compared to nothing for the well-optioned Honda and $999 for the Fiat.

Los Angeles Times

Compared to nothing being reported about funding, there was no evidence of an effect of reporting no funding (P=0.481) or some funding (P=0.847).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Compared to nothing being reported about COIs, there was no evidence of an effect of reporting no COIs (P=0.624) or some COIs (P=0.950).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

My sufferings I can compare to nothing else than the burning agonies of hell!

The Guardian - Books

This interesting exhibit compares to nothing else worldwide except to learn a little more about Poseidon.

WikiHow

Compared to America, nothing short of remarkable.

Huffington Post

"That was nothing compared to this.

The New York Times

"My homecoming is nothing compared to that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compared to nothing" to highlight a stark contrast or to emphasize the complete lack of something as a baseline for comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "compared to nothing" when the comparison isn't clearly linked to an absence or zero value. Ensure the context explicitly warrants contrasting something against a state of nothingness to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared to nothing" functions as a prepositional phrase used to establish a stark contrast between something and the absence of it. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness, suggesting its suitability for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compared to nothing" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to emphasize a stark contrast against an absence or zero value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in news and media, science and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is explicitly linked to the absence of something to maintain clarity. While its usage isn't exceedingly common, it offers a powerful way to highlight gains, improvements, or the significance of something against a backdrop of nothingness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to nothing

Emphasizes the difference by highlighting the absence of something as the point of comparison.

relative to zero

Uses a numerical baseline to express the idea of something being measured against nothing.

as opposed to nothing

Directly sets up a contrast with a state of non-existence or absence.

versus nothing

A more concise and direct way of indicating a comparison against zero.

when weighed against nothing

Adds a sense of evaluation or judgment to the comparison.

in comparison with zero

More formal and explicit than "compared to nothing", using 'zero' instead of 'nothing'.

measured against a void

More metaphorical, suggesting a comparison against emptiness or a lack of substance.

assessed against nil

Uses 'nil' as a synonym for 'nothing,' providing a slightly more technical tone.

evaluated against naught

Employs a more archaic term for 'nothing,' giving a more stylistic feel.

considering the absence of anything

Expands on the idea to directly state the lack of anything as the reference point.

FAQs

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

Use "compared to nothing" to emphasize that something is significantly better, larger, or more important than having nothing at all. For example, "The company's profits this quarter were substantial "compared to nothing" last year."

What phrases are similar to "compared to nothing"?

Similar phrases include "relative to zero", "in contrast to nothing", or "as opposed to nothing". Each emphasizes a comparison where one element is absent or has a value of zero.

Is it always appropriate to use "compared to nothing"?

While grammatically correct, "compared to nothing" is most effective when illustrating a significant difference from an absolute absence. Avoid using it in situations where the baseline isn't truly 'nothing', but rather a low or negligible value.

Can I use "compared to nothing" in formal writing?

Yes, "compared to nothing" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when you want to highlight a substantial improvement or achievement from a state of having no resources or results. However, ensure the tone aligns with the context.