practically nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

'practically nothing' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that there is a very small amount of something. For example: I had practically nothing left in my bank account after paying my bills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Practically nothing.

University of California, Berkeley

Or practically nothing.

The New Yorker

They get practically nothing.

The New York Times

"For practically nothing.

The New York Times

Furniture brought practically nothing.

The New Yorker

"Well… practically nothing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nothing did, or practically nothing.

The New Yorker

They are paying practically nothing.

The Washington Post

Otherwise, it achieved practically nothing.

Harvard Business Review

"Practically nothing," Mr. Boudreaux said.

The New York Times

The answer is: practically nothing.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically nothing" to emphasize a minimal amount or effect, especially when precision isn't critical. For example, "The changes made practically nothing to improve the situation."

Common error

While acceptable, "practically nothing" might sound too informal in highly academic or business contexts. Consider using alternatives like "a negligible amount" or "virtually nothing" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically nothing" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the degree or extent to which something is affected. Ludwig shows it often modifies verbs of change or action, emphasizing minimal impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically nothing" is a commonly used expression to indicate a minimal amount or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent appearance in news and media, though with acceptable use in academic and business contexts. While phrases like "almost nothing" or "virtually nothing" offer similar meanings, choosing the right alternative depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider whether a more precise term might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nothing

Focuses on the near absence of something, slightly emphasizing the closeness to zero.

virtually nothing

Highlights that something is so close to nothing it may as well be nothing for all practical purposes.

hardly anything

Emphasizes the scarcity or infrequency of something.

next to nothing

Indicates a very small amount or cost, often used in the context of expenses.

scarcely anything

Suggests that there is very little of something, with a slightly more formal tone.

barely anything

Stresses the idea that something is present but only to a minimal degree.

almost nil

Replaces "nothing" with "nil", providing a slightly more technical or formal tone.

essentially zero

Uses a mathematical term to emphasize the insignificance of an amount.

a negligible amount

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that something is so small it can be disregarded.

not much at all

Offers a less formal alternative, suitable for casual conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically nothing" to indicate a very small amount or effect. For example, "After the repairs, the car's performance improved "hardly at all"".

What are some alternatives to saying "practically nothing"?

Some alternatives include "almost nothing", "virtually nothing", or "next to nothing", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "practically nothing"?

Yes, "practically nothing" is a grammatically acceptable phrase in English. It is commonly used to convey that there is a very small amount of something.

What's the difference between "practically nothing" and "absolutely nothing"?

"Practically nothing" implies that there might be a minimal amount, whereas "absolutely nothing" indicates a complete absence. The choice depends on whether you want to acknowledge a tiny possibility or emphasize a complete lack.