next to no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "next to no" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is almost nonexistent. For example, "He had next to no experience with the job when he started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vaughan's got next to no hope now.

The Guardian - Sport

He had next to no defenders.

The Guardian

But he left next to no records.

The New York Times

So far, there has been next to no progress.

The New York Times - Sports

The government puts out next to no information.

The Economist

In criminal cases, they have next to no weight.

Independent

"There is next to no medicinal value to it.

Independent

He showed next to no interest in discussing politics.

The New York Times

But detectives freely acknowledge they have next to no leads.

The New York Times

There was next to no 3G or mobile data.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

With next-to-no effort, you become unwittingly part of the rumour mill.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "next to no" to emphasize the near absence of something, creating a stronger impact than simply saying there is 'little' or 'some'. For example, instead of stating 'There was little interest in the project', you can say 'There was next to no interest in the project' to highlight the lack of engagement.

Common error

While "next to no" is widely accepted, overuse in formal or academic writing may make your content sound less sophisticated. Consider using more formal alternatives like "a negligible amount" or "a paucity of" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next to no" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a very small quantity or degree. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to emphasize scarcity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "next to no" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the near absence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While appropriate for most contexts, including news and general conversation, consider more formal alternatives like "a negligible amount" in academic or professional writing. Remember that overuse might diminish its impact. It's a common phrase, especially found in News & Media, to stress scarcity or lack of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost none

This phrase is a direct synonym, emphasizing the near absence of something.

very little

This is a common and versatile alternative, suitable for various contexts.

hardly any

This phrase suggests that something is present, but in a minimal amount.

virtually nonexistent

This alternative emphasizes the lack of existence of something.

scarcely any

Similar to 'hardly any', it highlights the scarcity or lack of something.

barely any

This emphasizes how close to zero something is.

a negligible amount

This phrase uses more formal language to describe a very small quantity.

almost nothing

Focuses on the absence of something from a more abstract perspective.

practically nothing

Emphasizes that, for all practical purposes, something is absent.

a paucity of

This is a more formal and literary way to express a lack or shortage of something.

FAQs

What does "next to no" mean?

The phrase "next to no" means almost none or very little. It is used to emphasize the scarcity or near absence of something.

How can I use "next to no" in a sentence?

You can use "next to no" to describe a situation where there is very little of something. For example, "There was "almost none" traffic this morning" or "He has "very little" experience in this field, "virtually nonexistent" even."

What are some alternatives to saying "next to no"?

Some alternatives to "next to no" include phrases like "almost none", "very little", "hardly any", or "practically nothing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "next to no" formal or informal?

"Next to no" is generally considered acceptable in most contexts, but it is slightly more informal than alternatives such as "a negligible amount" or "a paucity of". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.