is practically zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is practically zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is very close to zero or negligible in value or significance. Example: "The chance of rain tomorrow is practically zero, so we can plan our outdoor event without worry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The correct social discount rate on the required investment is practically zero.

The Guardian - Opinion

At present, return on investment for pharmaceutical R&D is practically zero, and in the case of some companies may even be negative.

Columbia University

In fact, says David Bolchover, the report's author, the relationship between senior management and the grassroots of a company is practically zero.

The Economist

The new algorithm has no immediate applications, since existing ones are faster and their error probability can be made so small that it is practically zero.

The New York Times

"The probability of Greece repositioning itself closer to Russia is practically zero for as long as Greece remains a full member of European institutions," said the Hellenic Foundation's Dokos.

The Guardian

The mapping isn't perfect: if it were, the declaration of Facebook's dedication to privacy would have to be of almost infinite size, since the default amount of privacy Facebook now offers is practically zero.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The country is practically one big construction site, with numerous road and bridge projects and public works, including a new subway line in Warsaw.

The New York Times

Almost 74 million young people, aged 15 24, were looking for work in 2014 and the youth unemployment rate "is practically three times higher" than for their adult counterparts, the ILO found.

The Guardian - Business

Additionally, it can be said that the calculated IC50(A2780cis /IC50 A2780) ratio is practically two times lower for 5 and 6 in comparison with cisplatin (Figure 5).

Chemistry Central Journal

Preference for sons is practically two times that for daughters in four out of five districts, with the highest preference of 70% in Phu Vang, Thua-Thien Hue.

Unicef

Visibility was practically zero.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is practically zero" to convey that a value or probability is so small that it can be disregarded for practical purposes. This is especially useful in scientific, technical, and economic contexts where precision is important but absolute zero is not required.

Common error

While "is practically zero" is technically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In everyday contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "almost nothing" or "hardly any" to avoid sounding pedantic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is practically zero" functions as a descriptive expression, quantifying something as having a value or probability that is negligibly small. According to Ludwig, it's a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is practically zero" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys near-zero quantity or probability across various contexts. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic sources, this phrase serves to indicate that something is so small it can be disregarded for practical purposes. While suitable for formal writing, consider using simpler alternatives in casual settings to avoid sounding overly technical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually nonexistent

Emphasizes the almost complete absence of something.

is nearly zero

Indicates a value very close to zero.

is essentially zero

Suggests that for all practical purposes, the value is zero.

is almost nil

Uses a more concise term to convey the smallness of the value.

is as good as zero

Implies that the effect is the same as if it were actually zero.

is negligibly small

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

is close to nothing

A more informal way of expressing a very small amount.

is effectively zero

Indicates that the outcome is the same as if the value were zero.

is bordering on zero

Implies that something is approaching zero.

is infinitesimal

Emphasizes the extreme smallness of the quantity, often in technical contexts.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is practically zero" indicates that something is so close to zero that it's negligible. For example, "The probability of winning the lottery is practically zero" or "The impact of this change on the overall budget is practically zero".

What phrases can I use instead of "is practically zero"?

You can use alternatives like "is virtually nonexistent", "is nearly zero", or "is essentially zero" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "is practically zero" in formal writing?

Yes, "is practically zero" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, technical, or business contexts where precise language is important. It clearly conveys that a value is negligibly small without being absolutely zero.

What's the difference between "is practically zero" and "is actually zero"?

"Is practically zero" means the value is so close to zero that it has no significant effect, while "is actually zero" means the value is exactly zero. The first suggests a negligible amount, whereas the second indicates a complete absence.