for next to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"for next to nothing" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means "for a very small amount" or "for an insignificant price." Example: I was able to buy this antique vase for next to nothing at the flea market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People work for next to nothing.

The New York Times - Arts

They had no honor and worked for next to nothing".

The New Yorker

"You can buy stocking stuffers for next to nothing".

The New York Times

I built up a collection for next to nothing.

The Guardian - Music

Jacqueline managed to dress this film for next to nothing.

The Guardian - Film

That discourages them from lending reserves to each other for next to nothing.

The Economist

Or, she and her mother will continue to work for next to nothing.

The New York Times

"Because otherwise, your assets are in danger of being bought for next to nothing".

The New Yorker

She bought the album for next to nothing, a humble, unsung example of folk photography.

The New York Times - Magazine

You'd be amazed what you can get for free, or for next to nothing.

The Guardian

How does a startup convince highly qualified candidates to work for next to nothing?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for next to nothing" when you want to emphasize the incredibly low cost of something, often implying a surprising or unexpected bargain. For example, "I found this vintage jacket at a thrift store for next to nothing."

Common error

While "for next to nothing" is widely understood, it can sound informal or colloquial in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "at a minimal cost" or "at a nominal fee" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for next to nothing" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which something is obtained or done. It specifies the cost or effort involved is minimal. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for next to nothing" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something was acquired or done at a very low cost or with minimal effort. According to Ludwig, it functions to emphasize cost-effectiveness. It's considered neutral to informal in register, frequently appearing in news and media, business contexts and academic writings. While widely understood, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional or academic settings. The phrase is supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources, confirming its established usage in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost free

Emphasizes the lack of cost more directly.

virtually free

Highlights that the cost is so low it's as good as free.

at a bargain price

Focuses on the advantageous price point.

for a song

An idiomatic expression indicating a very low price.

dirt cheap

Emphasizes the extreme low cost, sometimes implying low quality.

at a giveaway price

Highlights that the price is incredibly low as if being given away.

practically gratis

Uses a more formal term for free, emphasizing the minimal cost.

for a pittance

Indicates a very small or inadequate amount of money.

on the cheap

Highlights the action of doing something at a very low cost.

at a steal

Suggests that the item was acquired at a surprisingly low price.

FAQs

How can I use "for next to nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "for next to nothing" to describe something acquired at a very low cost. For example, "I bought this antique lamp "for next to nothing" at a flea market."

What's a more formal way to say "for next to nothing"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases such as "at a minimal cost", "at a nominal fee", or "virtually free".

Is it appropriate to use "for next to nothing" in business writing?

While generally understood, "for next to nothing" may sound too informal for formal business writing. Consider using alternatives like "at a reduced price" or "at a fraction of the cost" instead.

What's the difference between "for next to nothing" and "dirt cheap"?

"For next to nothing" generally emphasizes the low cost without necessarily implying low quality. "Dirt cheap", on the other hand, suggests something is both very inexpensive and potentially of low quality. So, you can use "for next to nothing" if you want to describe a bargain, but use "dirt cheap" if you want to indicate a low price associated with cheap quality.