is practically nil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is practically nil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost nonexistent or very close to zero. Example: "The chances of rain tomorrow are practically nil, so we can go ahead with our outdoor plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Ring bidding is practically nil," he said.

The New York Times

The upside to a trade battle is practically nil.

The Economist

"The chances of finding the sharks that actually did the biting is practically nil," he said.

The New York Times

As a result, it says, officers routinely ignored policies, in the knowledge that "the likelihood of anyone discovering the use of shortcuts is practically nil".

The New York Times

It barely needs saying that the chance that House Republicans will agree to more spending in these areas is practically nil.

The New Yorker

While you may forget to back up your device, the likelihood of forgetting to charge it is practically nil.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Demand was practically nil.

The New York Times - Tech

Following World War II, hundreds of thousands of Finns emigrated, while immigration was practically nil, owing to government restrictions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, the chances of beginning a new scholarly project of this kind with N.E.H. support are practically nil.

The New York Times

But the chance to exhibit in mainstream galleries or museums was practically nil and seemed likely to stay that way.

The New York Times - Arts

I grew up during a time when the awareness of the quality of food was practically nil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is practically nil", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being described as almost nonexistent. This phrase is effective for emphasizing a near-zero quantity or probability.

Common error

Avoid using "is practically nil" in highly informal conversations or casual writing. Simpler phrases like "almost nothing" or "virtually none" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is practically nil" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun by asserting that its quantity or probability is almost zero. This usage is consistent with Ludwig AI's analysis and examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is practically nil" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something is almost nonexistent or has a very low probability. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase functions as a predicate adjective and appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While "is practically nil" is suitable for formal and professional writing, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. Remember to ensure context clearly establishes what is being described as almost nonexistent when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually nonexistent

Emphasizes that something is almost entirely absent.

is almost zero

Uses a numerical comparison to convey a minimal quantity.

is effectively nothing

Highlights the lack of practical impact or significance.

is as good as none

Expresses that something is so little as to be negligible.

is close to zero

Indicates nearness to zero in a more literal sense.

is next to nothing

Conveys a minimal amount, often in a physical sense.

is scarcely any

Emphasizes the scarcity or rarity of something.

is minimal

States that something is the smallest possible amount or degree.

is insignificant

Focuses on the lack of importance or consequence.

is negligible

Highlights that something is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

How can I use "is practically nil" in a sentence?

You can use "is practically nil" to describe something that is almost nonexistent or has a very low probability. For example: "The risk of infection "is practically nil" with proper sanitation."

What are some alternatives to "is practically nil"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is virtually nonexistent", "is almost zero", or "is negligible", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "is practically nil" formal or informal?

"Is practically nil" is suitable for formal and professional contexts. In very casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "is practically nil" and "is negligible"?

While both phrases indicate something is very small, "is practically nil" emphasizes a near-zero quantity, whereas "is negligible" focuses on the lack of importance or impact due to its small size.