nearly nonexistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly nonexistent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost not present or very rare. Example: "The evidence for the theory was nearly nonexistent, leading to skepticism among the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New home construction is nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

New construction is nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

Chad's economy was nearly nonexistent.

The New Yorker

Unemployment in both counties remains nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

Poverty is pervasive, health care nearly nonexistent, illiteracy rampant.

The New York Times - Travel

Original or insightful comments about models are nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

And (Boston, take note), the patronage vote was nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times

Oversight by the regulators was nearly nonexistent, the reviewers said.

The New York Times

Internal discipline for these kinds of mistakes is nearly nonexistent.

The Washington Post

The totems — architecturally significant houses, second-line parades, and historical markers — are nearly nonexistent.

The New Yorker

Scientific research on the educational value of apps is nearly nonexistent.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly nonexistent" to describe something that is present but so minimal that it has little to no practical effect. For instance, "The budget allocated for marketing was nearly nonexistent, so we relied on word-of-mouth."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly nonexistent" when something is completely absent. "Nearly nonexistent" implies a trace presence, however small. If something doesn't exist at all, use phrases like "completely absent" or "nonexistent."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly nonexistent" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a state of near absence or extreme scarcity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes something that is almost not present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly nonexistent" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is present but in such a minimal quantity or degree that it is practically absent. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "virtually absent" and "almost absent" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning is crucial for precise communication. Remember to avoid using "nearly nonexistent" when referring to something completely absent, as it implies a trace presence. Overall, mastering the use of "nearly nonexistent" enhances your ability to convey nuanced degrees of absence effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually absent

Implies a complete lack or absence of something, more emphatic than "nearly nonexistent".

almost absent

Very similar to "nearly nonexistent", focusing on the state of being close to absence.

practically nonexistent

Similar to "nearly nonexistent", emphasizing the practical implications of its absence.

scarcely existent

Indicates that something exists but only just, and in a very limited way.

effectively absent

Highlights that the effect is the same as if something were completely missing.

barely there

A more informal way to express that something is almost not present.

for all intents and purposes nonexistent

A more verbose expression emphasizing the practical non-existence of something.

borderline absent

Indicates a state that is on the verge of being completely absent.

vanishingly small

Often used in scientific contexts to describe quantities or effects that are extremely minimal.

approaching zero

Suggests a quantitative measure that is getting very close to zero.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly nonexistent" in a sentence?

Use "nearly nonexistent" to describe something that exists in such a small amount or degree that it's practically absent. For example, "Funding for the project was "nearly nonexistent", hindering progress."

What are some alternatives to "nearly nonexistent"?

You can use alternatives such as "virtually absent", "almost absent", or "scarcely existent" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost nonexistent" instead of "nearly nonexistent"?

Yes, "almost nonexistent" is a perfectly acceptable synonym for "nearly nonexistent". Both phrases convey the idea that something is close to not existing at all.

What's the difference between "nonexistent" and "nearly nonexistent"?

"Nonexistent" means something does not exist at all, while "nearly nonexistent" means something exists in such a small amount or degree that it's practically absent. "Nearly" implies a trace presence, however small.