nothing on the scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nothing on the scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is insignificant or not comparable to something else in terms of size, importance, or magnitude. Example: "The challenges we faced this year were nothing on the scale of what we encountered last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The city now has just a few of the toilets -- one, for instance, at Greeley Square -- as pilot projects, but nothing on the scale that Los Angeles is contemplating.

The New York Times

"Nothing on the scale of this".

The New York Times

And there have been site-specific operas, though nothing on the scale of "Hopscotch".

The New Yorker

But nothing on the scale of, say, Ellmann's Joyce or Holroyd's Shaw.

The Guardian - Books

Sporadic attacks have hit home since, but nothing on the scale of this latest assault.

The Guardian

There were brief truces in some areas in other years, but nothing on the scale of 1914.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But nothing, perhaps, on the scale of what did.

The Guardian - Film

There have been some obesity-related lawsuits in the United States, although nothing – yet – on the scale of the Big Tobacco trials.

Independent

While he has built a number of things for commercials he has directed, nothing was on the scale of the Ikea project.

The New York Times

Though nothing like on the scale of the 1960s and 1970s, the problem refuses to go away.However, it is unclear what reasons Mrs Arroyo has for launching a fresh assault on the NPA now—other than cynical ones.

The Economist

Above all, there are no grand revelations of epic lying, deceit, or criminality — nothing remotely on the scale of the Tonkin Gulf "incident" that justified the escalation of the Vietnam conflict, in 1964, the C.I.A.'s role in bringing Pinochet to power in Chile, in 1973, or, more recently, the Bush-Cheney embrace of torture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing on the scale" when you want to emphasize that something is considerably smaller, less important, or less intense than another thing being discussed. This phrase is effective for creating contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing on the scale" when comparing items that are already known to be equal or similar. This phrase is meant to highlight a significant difference, so its use should be reserved for situations where such a difference exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing on the scale" functions as a comparative expression, typically used to diminish the significance or size of one thing relative to another. As indicated by Ludwig, it asserts that something is considerably less in some aspect than what it's being compared to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nothing on the scale" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that something is significantly smaller or less important compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, use it to create a strong contrast and downplay the importance of a particular item relative to another. While there are no major grammatical errors associated with its usage, be mindful of the context and ensure that the comparison is valid and meaningful. Consider using alternatives such as "not comparable" or "insignificant in comparison" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant in comparison

Directly states that something is unimportant when compared to something else.

not comparable

Emphasizes the lack of similarity in size or importance.

not even close

Highlights a significant disparity or difference in magnitude.

nowhere near

Indicates a substantial difference in degree or extent.

not in the same league

Suggests a significant difference in quality or ability.

pale in comparison

Highlights the insignificance of something when compared to something else.

not a patch on

Indicates that something is significantly inferior to something else.

cannot hold a candle to

Suggests that something is completely outclassed by something else.

a far cry from

Emphasizes a large difference or deviation from a standard or expectation.

dwarfed by

Indicates that something is much smaller or less significant than something else.

FAQs

How can I use "nothing on the scale" in a sentence?

Use "nothing on the scale" to emphasize that one thing is significantly smaller or less important compared to another. For example, "The recent increase in sales is "nothing on the scale" of last year's boom."

What's a more formal alternative to "nothing on the scale"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "not comparable" or "insignificant in comparison". These phrases maintain the meaning while sounding more professional.

Is "nothing on the scale of" the same as "not even close to"?

While similar, "nothing on the scale of" implies a difference in magnitude or importance, whereas "not even close" emphasizes a lack of similarity or equivalence. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "nothing on the scale"?

Avoid using "nothing on the scale" when comparing things that are already known to be similar or equal. This phrase is designed to highlight a significant difference or disparity, so its use in other contexts would be inappropriate.