nearly none

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nearly none.

The New Yorker

However, nearly none of these studies calculate the sample size required for validating these techniques.

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

No one is shocked: nearly none of it is too painful or too foul.

The New Yorker

Gentleman freeholders had much of it, servants little, and slaves nearly none.

The New York Times

But, while Wade Phillips gets a hefty share of the blame, he gets nearly none of the credit.

The New York Times

Nearly none of the existing models can handle the co-effect of these two kinds of flaws on the rock mass dynamic mechanical behavior.

Mechanics Research Communications

The Bicoid then diffuses through the gloppy liquid inside the egg, its concentration falling off with distance, until there is nearly none at the tail end.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Today, nearly two decades later, virtually none of the waste has left the facilities where it was produced.

The New Yorker

Not fully, or even nearly so: none, except perhaps tiny Hong Kong, has followed the laisser-faire formula demonised by anti-globalists (which, incidentally, America has not followed either).

The Economist

TVRS are very strong, but despite a top speed of nearly 200mph, none has airbags, anti-lock brakes or traction control.

The Economist

In the limit, when return migration to country j is nearly universal, none of the immigrants from country j remaining in the host country will be retired.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly none" to accurately convey a very small quantity or degree, especially when a more absolute term like "none" might be misleading. For instance, "Nearly none of the students failed" suggests a few might have, while "None of the students failed" implies a perfect pass rate.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly none" when "none" is actually accurate. "Nearly none" implies a small quantity exists, so ensure this is the case to maintain precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly none" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is close to zero. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its purpose is to communicate that something is present, but in such a small amount that it is practically non-existent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

37%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly none" is a grammatically sound and frequently used quantifier indicating a quantity close to zero. As Ludwig AI verifies, this phrase enjoys acceptance across various registers, demonstrating its flexibility. "Nearly none" is particularly prevalent in contexts within news media and scientific writing, serving to accurately express scarcity and to prevent overstatement of an absolute absence. When using "nearly none", ensure it aptly reflects a minimal quantity rather than a complete void.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nonexistent

Emphasizes the near absence of something, going beyond a small amount to suggest it barely exists.

virtually absent

Highlights that something is not present in all practical senses, despite perhaps technically existing.

practically nil

Uses a more technical term ('nil') to stress the insignificance of the amount.

scarcely any

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of something.

hardly any

Similar to 'scarcely any' but slightly less formal.

almost zero

Quantifies the amount, framing it as approaching the numerical value of zero.

close to nothing

Uses more descriptive language to suggest a very small quantity.

negligible amount

Focuses on the lack of importance of the quantity, rather than just its small size.

a drop in the bucket

Uses a metaphor to illustrate the insignificance of the quantity compared to what is needed or expected.

in short supply

Indicates limited availability instead of a strict quantification.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly none" in a sentence?

The phrase "nearly none" is used to indicate that something is almost non-existent. For example, "There was "nearly none" left after the party".

What's the difference between "nearly none" and "almost none"?

"Nearly none" and "almost none" are very similar in meaning, both indicating a very small quantity. The choice between them is often a matter of stylistic preference, though "almost none" might be slightly more common in everyday speech.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "nearly none"?

Alternatives to "nearly none" include "hardly any", "scarcely any", or "virtually absent", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "nearly none"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase functions as a quantifier, indicating a quantity close to zero.