greater than zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greater than zero" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when comparing two values or amounts, such as "Our profits this quarter are greater than zero, thanks to the successful launch of our new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Readings greater than zero signal growth.

The New York Times

This is greater than zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So delta S is greater than zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Therefore, this double integral is either greater than zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It looks only at assets with a standard deviation greater than zero.

Yale University

The second law says that the entropy change must be equal to or greater than zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So dp/dT, for liquid-gas coexistence right, greater than zero, but small.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Furthermore, a matrix is positive is all its entries are positive (greater than zero) real numbers.

Cornell University

Numbers less than zero are positive, he said, and those greater than zero are negative.

The New York Times

If the number was greater than zero, the company rated the school as improving, or "positive".

The New York Times

But the number of such situations is still significantly greater than zero.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greater than zero", ensure the context clearly defines what 'zero' represents. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "greater than zero" when you actually mean 'significantly greater than zero'. The phrase simply indicates a positive value, not necessarily a substantial one. Make the distinction explicit if magnitude matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater than zero" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied) by specifying that its value exceeds the numerical threshold of zero. Ludwig shows this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

28%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greater than zero" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression. According to Ludwig, it's used to specify that a value or quantity is positive. It appears most commonly in scientific, news, and academic contexts, with a formal register. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context and ensure that the meaning of 'zero' is clear to the audience. Consider alternatives like "above zero" or "positive value" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid redundancy by omitting the phrase in contexts where positivity is already implied. With its clear meaning and widespread application, mastering the use of "greater than zero" will help improve the clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above zero

Replaces the comparative "greater than" with "above", maintaining the core meaning of exceeding zero.

more than zero

Uses "more than" as a synonym for "greater than", offering a slightly different phrasing.

over zero

Similar to "above zero", uses "over" to express exceeding the zero point.

exceeding zero

Emphasizes the action of going beyond zero, rather than a static comparison.

beyond zero

Implies movement from zero to a higher quantity.

positive value

Focuses on the characteristic of being positive rather than the direct comparison to zero.

a positive number

Highlights the numerical nature of the value and its positivity.

non-negative value

Indicates that the value is either positive or zero, encompassing a broader range than just "greater than zero".

with a positive sign

Highlights the positive sign (+), implicitly indicating the value's relationship to zero.

not less than zero

Uses a double negative to express the same meaning, focusing on what the value is not.

FAQs

How can I use "greater than zero" in a sentence?

You can use "greater than zero" to indicate a positive value. For example, "The company's profits this quarter are "greater than zero", showing financial growth."

What is the difference between "greater than zero" and "positive"?

"Positive" is a general term for any value above zero. "Greater than zero" is a more explicit comparison, highlighting the relationship to zero. While often interchangeable, "greater than zero" can add emphasis in specific contexts.

What are some phrases similar to "greater than zero"?

Alternatives include "above zero", "positive value", or "more than zero". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "greater than zero"?

While grammatically correct, using "greater than zero" might be redundant if the context already implies positivity. In such cases, simply stating the value is "positive" might suffice. Also, be precise and make the distinction explicit if magnitude matters.