nil out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nil out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts, particularly in programming or accounting, to indicate that a value should be set to zero or nullified. Example: "Please nil out the previous entries in the spreadsheet before entering the new data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Death occurred in three out of 17 patients were no pathogen was defined (17.6%); in nil out of three patients infected by atypical pathogens (0%); in three out of seven patients (42.9%) infected by Gram-negative bacteria; and in three out of nine patients (33.3%) infected by Gram-positive cocci or H. influenzae (p: 0.034 between grouping according to pathogen).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

'When Neil played that last note, we were all sat on the edge of the stage,' he says, 'and we thought, "Oh no, it's over".' One Nil is out now.

The Guardian

Nil opt-out responses were received.

BMC Health Services Research

8.04pm BST "If you add the last 25 mins of the Germany-Sweden game a year ago to the first 5 mins from todays game, Sweden are 5 nil up," points out a man known simply as Max.

The Guardian - Sport

But as Nils Pratley points out, stock market traders are taking this in their stride.

The Guardian - Business

11.40pm: My colleague Nils Pratley points out that the City is digesting these big swings against Labour in Sunderland.

The Guardian - Business

"There's no way S.& N. can push us out," Nils Smedegaard Andersen, the chief executive of Carlsberg, told Bloomberg News today.

The New York Times

RV developed the NILs and carried out RNA extraction.

BMC Plant Biology

Mock inoculation of the two NILs was carried out with talcum powder only.

BMC Genomics

Various patterns with feature sizes ranging from 30 nm to 50 μm were faithfully duplicated onto the resist film during this UV-assisted thermal curing NIL that was carried out in ambient air environment.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Unless you're a rapper, or you're a heavy-drinking gay, or you're in a band like Zeppelin who has roadies do the dirty work so the band can shove actual sharks into groupie gash on a nightly basis, your chances of making the beast with two backs diminishes to nearly nil when you're out on the road.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nil out" in technical documentation or code comments, ensure the context clearly indicates that you are setting a value to zero or null.

Common error

Avoid using "nil out" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and formal terms like "set to zero" or "nullify" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nil out" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action to set a value to zero or null. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English, though often in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nil out" is a phrasal verb that means to set a value to zero or null. While grammatically correct and usable, it is more appropriate for informal contexts, such as technical discussions or code comments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but it's less formal than alternatives like "set to zero" or "nullify", making it crucial to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. While commonly used in areas of science and technology there are authoritative sources such as The Guardian that occasionally use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Zero out

This alternative is very similar, focusing on setting a numerical value to zero.

Set to zero

This is a straightforward and literal way to express the action of making something equal to zero.

Clear out

This option indicates removing content or values, including setting values to null or zero.

Clear

This term means to remove any existing content.

Nullify

This term is more formal and suggests making something invalid or without effect.

Blank out

This phrase suggests making something empty or without content, similar to setting it to zero.

Invalidate

Suggests making something no longer valid or usable, similar to setting it to a null state.

Erase

This alternative focuses on the removal or deletion of something, often implying setting it to a blank or zero state.

Delete

This term refers to removing or eliminating something, which can be analogous to setting a value to null.

Wipe out

This phrase implies a complete removal or destruction, metaphorically setting something to nothing.

FAQs

What does "nil out" mean?

"Nil out" means to set a value to zero or null. It's often used in programming or accounting contexts.

What's a more formal alternative to "nil out"?

More formal alternatives include "set to zero" or "nullify".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "nil out"?

"Nil out" is appropriate in informal contexts, such as code comments, internal documentation, or casual discussions among technical professionals.

How does "nil out" differ from "clear out"?

"Nil out" specifically implies setting a value to zero or null, while "clear out" can refer to removing any content, not just setting it to zero. The term "clear out" may also imply physical removal from a place.