more than zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate a quantity that is greater than zero, often in mathematical, statistical, or analytical discussions. Example: "The survey results showed that more than zero participants expressed interest in the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

JIMMY SHITS X MORE THAN ZERO X's third demo tape, Outpatient Waiting to Die, is out now through www.morethanzero.se.

Vice

More than zero but less than 100C.

The Economist

"Down to 15%"?! Why would there be more than zero tolerance at Princeton?

Princeton University

Answer: substantially more than zero, and some of them in factories.

The Guardian - Tech

You write a book of poems, and you make slightly more than zero dollars.

The New York Times

"Fair would be getting more than zero," Flournoy said he responded.

The New York Times - Sports

"Maybe," Hughes said, with a laugh, "I'll throw more than zero".

The New York Times - Sports

Clearly, a 22% survival rate is more than zero, as actually experienced by the dinosaurs.

The Economist

But 24percentt is still much more than zero, which is essentially why AOL will miss its goals.

The New York Times

No one yet knows the ultimate cost of the bailout, but it is already more than zero.

The New York Times

The meagre pennies that I get for this is more than zero pennies and so my alternative is oblivion".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than zero", ensure the context clearly establishes what the zero represents to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify units or a baseline for comparison.

Common error

Avoid assuming "more than zero" implies a substantial amount. It only indicates a value greater than zero, which could be a negligible quantity depending on the scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than zero" functions as a quantifier, specifying that a certain value or amount is present, exceeding the baseline of zero. It serves to establish the existence of something, as Ludwig confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more than zero" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a quantity is greater than nothing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing. While "more than zero" indicates presence, it doesn't imply significance, so context is crucial. For more formal settings, "greater than zero" may be preferable. Common errors include assuming that "more than zero" automatically implies a substantial amount. Remember to always establish what the zero represents to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater than zero

Formal alternative, directly states the mathematical relationship.

above zero

Similar meaning, emphasizing position on a scale.

a positive value

Highlights the sign of the quantity.

some positive amount

Implies an unspecified but non-negligible quantity.

a non-zero quantity

Focuses on the absence of zero.

anything but zero

Emphasizes the exclusion of zero.

more than nothing

Informal and emphatic.

a certain amount

Indicates an unspecified positive quantity.

some amount at least

Indicates a minimum positive quantity.

at least a little

Informal, suggesting a small but positive quantity.

FAQs

What does "more than zero" mean?

The phrase "more than zero" simply means a quantity, number, or amount that is greater than zero. It indicates a positive value, however small it might be.

When is it appropriate to use "more than zero" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "more than zero" when you want to emphasize that a value or quantity is present and not absent, without specifying the exact amount. It's commonly used in technical, scientific, or analytical contexts.

Are there any formal alternatives to "more than zero"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "greater than zero", "above zero", or "positive value". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "more than zero" the same as saying "significant"?

No, "more than zero" does not necessarily mean "significant". It simply means a value is greater than zero. Significance implies that the value is large enough to be meaningful or important, which is a separate consideration.