nearly worthless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly worthless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has very little value or significance, often in a comparative context. Example: "The old car was nearly worthless after years of neglect and damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The coins were nearly worthless.

The New York Times

Yet witnesses' confidence was nearly worthless in predicting their accuracy.

The New Yorker

Could their narratives add value to nearly worthless thingamajigs, he and Mr. Walker wondered.

The New York Times

As with so many things in Afghanistan, the official record is nearly worthless.

The New Yorker

A girl in China at the time, Corbett notes, "was nearly worthless..

The New York Times - Books

Savings became nearly worthless, and rents collected by landowners plummeted in value.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their critics, meanwhile, say they are nearly worthless in realistically detecting explosives.

The New York Times

This rule caused another problem: some users would leave nearly worthless comments ("nice", "good b+w").

The Guardian - Books

As a result, the nonperforming loans owned by the asset management companies are nearly worthless.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Today, many of those once-scintillating, then nearly-worthless behemoths are worth a mint if they're original and in decent enough condition.

The New York Times

However, your equity is nearly worthless* unless your startup has an liquidity event like IPO or acquisition.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly worthless", consider the context. Is it the monetary value, practical use, or significance that is low? Choose synonyms that reflect the specific aspect you want to emphasize for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly worthless" when something is completely without value. "Worthless" itself is more appropriate for absolute worthlessness, while "nearly worthless" implies some residual, albeit minimal, value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly worthless" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It describes a noun by indicating its low value or utility. Ludwig examples show it modifying diverse nouns like "coins", "comments", "stock holdings", and "data".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly worthless" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something with very little value or significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While alternatives like "almost valueless" or "virtually useless" exist, the best choice depends on the specific context. Be mindful not to overstate the level of worthlessness, reserving "worthless" for items with absolutely no value. Primarily found in News & Media, the phrase serves to convey devaluation or lack of importance across various topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost valueless

Emphasizes the lack of value, differing slightly in formality.

virtually useless

Focuses on the lack of utility or practical application.

of little value

A more formal way of expressing a similar sentiment.

practically insignificant

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence.

close to nothing

An idiomatic expression indicating minimal worth.

barely any worth

Emphasizes the scarcity of value.

next to nothing

Informal expression of minimal value.

essentially without value

Stresses the fundamental absence of worth.

not worth much

A common and straightforward way to convey low value.

almost inconsequential

Focuses on the lack of impact or relevance.

FAQs

What does "nearly worthless" mean?

The phrase "nearly worthless" means something has very little value or importance. It implies that the item or concept in question possesses minimal worth, bordering on being valueless.

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

You can use "nearly worthless" to describe items, skills, or ideas. For instance, "The old car was "almost valueless" after years of neglect" or "His outdated knowledge was "practically insignificant" in the modern tech industry".

What are some alternatives to "nearly worthless"?

Alternatives to "nearly worthless" include "almost valueless", "virtually useless", "of little value", or "practically insignificant". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "nearly worthless" or "worthless"?

"Nearly worthless" implies that something has a small amount of value, while "worthless" means it has no value at all. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of value or lack thereof. If there's any residual value, use "nearly worthless"; if there's absolutely none, use "worthless".