just about none

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about none" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is almost no quantity or number of something. Example: "After the storm, there were just about none of the flowers left in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Sarah Palin was on just about none of the pundits' lips or lists until she was official and ineluctable, which she remains.

The New York Times

"Just a small number, so small you could say just about none, are on exhibit," said James M. Carpenter, a curator of entomology, division of invertebrate zoology.

The New York Times - Arts

Jake Long and Joe Barksdale are gone from the offensive line, and just about none of the rotation of replacements tested in preseason has impressed.

The Guardian - Sport

But really just about none of that blame will land on iPhone owners it would land on Apple and AT&T and regulators and gadget reviewers and everyone else.

The New Yorker

Goldsmith has stuck up for Johnson's New Routemaster bus, never mind that it already possesses just about none of the special qualities Johnson promised it would when he came to power.

The Guardian

There is a long list of things to do to make the immigration system correspond to American values and economic realities, and the country is doing just about none of them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Boston was down three games to none to the Yankees and just about done.

The New York Times - Sports

"She loves it so much she'd just about rape it," Cecil said, looking at all of us, expecting a big laugh and getting none.

The New Yorker

The combination of food and culture is just about second to none and the overall respect the Japanese have for one another is unlike anything I have experienced.

Forbes

Ultimately, this game features two very good teams that are pretty good at just about everything, yet none rank within the top five nationally in anything.

HuffPost

It's an underwhelming hiring in just about every way, but none of that really matters.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just about none", ensure the context clearly indicates that the quantity or number being described is very close to zero. This phrase is effective for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "just about none" when there is a measurable, non-negligible quantity. This phrase is most impactful when the intended meaning is a near-complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about none" functions as a determiner phrase indicating a quantity close to zero. It modifies an implied noun, expressing a near-complete lack of something. Ludwig AI shows that its usage is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize scarcity or absence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just about none" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to denote a near-complete absence or negligible quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds its primary use in News & Media and possesses a neutral register. While phrases like "virtually none" or "almost none" may serve as viable alternatives, "just about none" effectively conveys emphasis on scarcity. When using "just about none", ensure the context clearly indicates a very small quantity for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually none

Emphasizes the near-complete absence of something; slightly more formal.

almost none

Indicates a quantity very close to zero; a common alternative.

almost no

Similar in meaning to "almost none", but grammatically used before a noun.

practically none

Similar to 'virtually none', highlighting the negligible amount.

virtually no

Similar in meaning to "virtually none", but grammatically used before a noun.

next to none

Highlights the extreme lack of something.

hardly any

Suggests a scarce quantity; less direct than "just about none".

barely any

Indicates a minimal amount, emphasizing how little there is.

scarcely any

Similar to 'hardly any', but can also imply surprise at the low quantity.

negligibly few

More formal, emphasizing the insignificance of the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "just about none" in a sentence?

You can use "just about none" to indicate a very small quantity or near absence, as in "There was "just about none" of the cake left after the party".

What phrases are similar to "just about none"?

Alternatives to "just about none" include "virtually none", "almost none", or "practically none", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "just about none" formal or informal?

"Just about none" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and formal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "virtually none" may be preferred in certain situations.

Can I use "just about none" before a noun?

While "just about none" functions well on its own, to describe nouns, it's more grammatically correct to use "almost no" or "virtually no".