essentially nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is virtually absent or has no significant presence or impact. Example: "The evidence for the claim was essentially nonexistent, leading to doubts about its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Yet security in airports over this time remained essentially nonexistent.

The New York Times

"The sport is essentially nonexistent outside of Japan.

The New York Times - Sports

As a result, coordinated efforts are essentially nonexistent".

The New York Times

The evidence for a WMD programme in Iraq was essentially nonexistent.

The Guardian

They have made clear, however, that their own ability to get Russia to comply with the agreement is essentially nonexistent.

The New York Times

But the Senate report demonstrates that Abu Zuybadah's role in Mohammed's capture was essentially nonexistent — and that torture had nothing to do with it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Intraday volatility has essentially been nonexistent.

The New York Times

Dr. Hurewitz said he began studying Middle Eastern politics when it was "essentially a nonexistent discipline" and went on to shepherd hundreds of students through the Middle East Institute, which he directed from 1970 until 1984.

The New York Times

To defeat them, he went on, the group will "have to be addressed on both sides of what is essentially, at this point, a nonexistent border".

The New Yorker

Mr. Kimes's former lawyer, Matthew Weissman, called Mr. Kimes's chance of successfully appealing his conviction almost nonexistent now, since he essentially confessed to having murdered Mrs. Silverman.

The New York Times

"Rivera has done English and Spanish and has essentially treated this small, growing community as nonexistent citizens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially nonexistent" to emphasize the lack of practical impact, even if something technically exists. This is especially useful in formal writing and reports.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially nonexistent" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "basically gone" or "almost none" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "essentially nonexistent" is to serve as an adjectival phrase. Ludwig examples show it modifies nouns to describe their lack of presence or impact. It emphasizes that something is, for all practical purposes, absent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially nonexistent" is a grammatically sound and widely used adjectival phrase that signifies something is virtually absent or has a negligible impact. Ludwig AI highlights its correct usage and adaptability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific domains, it maintains a formal register. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "virtually absent" or "practically nonexistent" to convey similar meanings with minor stylistic differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually absent

Indicates near-total absence, emphasizing the practical effect of non-existence.

practically nonexistent

Highlights that something is so close to non-existence that it doesn't matter.

almost nonexistent

Implies that something exists in such a small amount as to be insignificant.

effectively absent

Suggests that something is absent in effect, even if it technically exists.

as good as nonexistent

Emphasizes that something's utility or presence is so minimal it's like it doesn't exist.

tantamount to nonexistence

Indicates a state that is equivalent to not existing, often in a more formal context.

scarcely present

Highlights the minimal presence of something.

for all intents and purposes nonexistent

A more elaborate way of saying that something is functionally nonexistent.

nigh nonexistent

An archaic phrasing with 'nigh' meaning 'nearly' or 'almost'.

functionally absent

Highlights the lack of functional presence or utility.

FAQs

What does "essentially nonexistent" mean?

The phrase "essentially nonexistent" means something is virtually absent or has such a minimal presence that it's as if it doesn't exist. It emphasizes the lack of practical impact or significance.

How can I use "essentially nonexistent" in a sentence?

You can use "essentially nonexistent" to describe things like evidence, resources, or support that are so scarce they might as well not be there. For example: "The evidence for that claim is "virtually absent"".

What are some alternatives to "essentially nonexistent"?

Alternatives include "virtually absent", "practically nonexistent", or "almost nonexistent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "essentially nonexistent" in formal writing?

Yes, "essentially nonexistent" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is often used in reports, academic papers, and other professional contexts to clearly convey the near-absence of something.