practically zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity or amount that is very close to zero, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The chances of rain today are practically zero, so we can go ahead with the outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Visibility was practically zero.

The New Yorker

The turnover of ancillary staff has dropped to practically zero.

The Guardian

It's a surefire way to get practically zero appreciation of the places you're visiting.

The Guardian - Opinion

The correct social discount rate on the required investment is practically zero.

The Guardian - Opinion

We put interest rates down to practically zero – pedal to the metal.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Unless he can reach new members and new people, I think his chances are practically zero".

The New York Times

The average fraction of exposure affected by flaring has declined with time, and was practically zero for a long stretch.

Harvard University

This value vanished to practically zero after grafting with different PCLs.

Acta Materialia

The number of bodies found in the neighborhood had fallen steeply, "to practically zero, to pre-Samarra levels," Brooks said.

The New Yorker

The weekly average weekly rent in London is currently £362 and practically zero properties currently fall under the legislation.

Independent

Some such installations make it possible for suitably equipped aircraft to land in conditions of practically zero visibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically zero", ensure the context clearly implies that the quantity is not exactly zero, but close enough to be considered as such for practical purposes. For instance, "The risk of this event occurring is practically zero" suggests the risk is extremely low, not necessarily non-existent.

Common error

Avoid using "practically zero" when you actually mean 'absolutely none' or 'completely absent'. "Practically zero" implies a minimal amount still exists, whereas absolute terms leave no room for exceptions. Instead, consider alternatives like "virtually none" or "almost nonexistent" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically zero" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity or likelihood that is extremely close to zero. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically zero" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is nearly non-existent or has a negligible impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-accepted in English. It is versatile across different contexts, including news, academic, and scientific writing. While very similar to "virtually none" or "almost nonexistent", remember that "practically zero" always implies a minimal amount still exists. Use "practically zero" to effectively communicate that something is insignificant, but remember to avoid it when absolute absence is what you truly mean.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually none

Emphasizes the near absence of something, similar to "practically zero" but with a slightly stronger sense of negation.

almost nonexistent

Highlights that something barely exists, mirroring the meaning of "practically zero" in terms of presence.

negligible amount

Focuses on the insignificance of the quantity, akin to "practically zero" but emphasizes the quantity itself.

vanishingly small

Emphasizes the extreme smallness or near disappearance of something, comparable to the sense of "practically zero".

scarcely any

Indicates a very small quantity or number, similar to the idea of "practically zero" but focused on count.

next to nothing

Suggests that the quantity is so small it's almost nothing, similar to "practically zero" in implication.

effectively absent

Highlights that something is absent in effect, conveying a similar meaning to "practically zero" regarding impact or influence.

borderline nonexistent

Emphasizes how close something is to not existing, analogous to the meaning of "practically zero".

hardly any

Indicates a minimal amount or number, close to the meaning of "practically zero" but with a slight emphasis on difficulty in finding it.

near zero

Directly states the proximity to zero, similar to "practically zero" but more literal.

FAQs

How can I use "practically zero" in a sentence?

You can use "practically zero" to describe a quantity or probability that is very close to zero. For example, "The chance of finding a matching donor is practically zero" indicates an extremely low probability.

What are some alternatives to "practically zero"?

Alternatives to "practically zero" include "virtually none", "almost nonexistent", or "negligible amount". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the chances are practically zero"?

Yes, saying "the chances are practically zero" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is highly unlikely.

What is the difference between "practically zero" and "absolutely zero"?

"Practically zero" implies a quantity is so small it can be disregarded, while "absolutely zero" means there is none at all. If there's a tiny chance or amount, use "practically zero"; otherwise, use "absolutely zero".