nearly nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly nothing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is barely significant or not important at all. For example: "I didn't get any sleep last night; I managed to get nearly nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nearly nothing.

The New Yorker

They weighed nearly nothing.

The New York Times

"He did nearly nothing else.

The New Yorker

Yet the government is spending nearly nothing, he noted.

The New York Times

To begin with, there's nearly nothing in it.

The New York Times

We learn she's eaten nearly nothing for two days.

The New York Times - Books

Shortly after, her father died leaving nearly nothing.

The New Yorker

Many rented their properties for nearly nothing and left.

The New York Times

"We know nearly nothing about our neighbours' cultures.

The Guardian

Mr. Stackpole, 27, has always been good at making scientific equipment from nearly nothing.

The New York Times

With nearly nothing left on the clock, it's Thomas Barrow for the equalizer!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly nothing" when you want to emphasize that something is so small or insignificant that it's almost as if it doesn't exist.

Common error

While "nearly nothing" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more precise language like "negligible" or "minimal" in formal or scientific writing for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly nothing" functions as an adverbial modifier, quantifying the extent to which something is absent or minimal. It is used to emphasize a very small quantity, degree, or impact. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly nothing" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey that something is almost non-existent or insignificant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid phrase in written English. This guide provides insights into its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate register. While versatile, remember that more precise language might be preferred in formal academic or scientific contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources and less so in academic writing. Consider alternatives like "almost nothing" or "practically zero" for nuanced expression. The provided FAQs address common usage questions, ensuring clarity and confidence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nothing

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the closeness to complete absence.

next to nothing

Indicates a very small amount, often in terms of cost or effort.

barely anything

Emphasizes the scarcity or minimal presence of something.

scarcely anything

Similar to 'barely anything', highlighting the lack of something.

practically zero

Focuses on the quantitative aspect, indicating a value close to zero.

essentially zero

Similar to 'practically zero', emphasizing a value close to zero.

hardly a thing

Highlights the absence or insignificance of something.

almost nonexistent

Focuses on the lack of existence or presence.

a negligible amount

A more formal and quantitative way to say nearly nothing.

virtually nil

A more formal way to express almost nothing, using a less common term.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly nothing" to indicate a very small quantity or degree. For example, "I slept "nearly nothing" last night" or "The project cost "nearly nothing" to complete."

What can I say instead of "nearly nothing"?

You can use alternatives like "almost nothing", "practically zero", or "barely anything" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "nearly nothing" in academic writing?

While generally acceptable, academic writing often benefits from more precise terms. Consider using "negligible", "minimal", or "insignificant" for greater clarity and a more formal tone instead of "nearly nothing".

What's the difference between "almost nothing" and "nearly nothing"?

While the phrases are very similar, "almost nothing" might imply a slightly closer proximity to absolute absence than "nearly nothing". In most cases, however, they are interchangeable and both phrases are close in meaning.