reduce to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduce to nothing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where something is completely destroyed or becomes insignificant. Example: The hurricane reduced the city to nothing, leaving behind only rubble and devastation. In this sentence, "reduce to nothing" emphasizes the complete destruction and loss caused by the hurricane.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He added: "We have excellent trade and economic relations with our partners in the east and south and we will find a way to reduce to nothing our financial dependence on the United States but even get out of the sanctions with a big profit to ourselves".

The Guardian

My grandparents' letters were often hilarious, which, of course, is the one way a letter can reduce to nothing the distance between two lovers: the laughter it produces is as real and unfiltered as if the writer and the reader were sitting side by side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

God chose the low and despised to reduce to nothing those who think they are something (1 Cor. 1 27).

Huffington Post

"Not only would it strip the United States of all its legitimacy to play a role in resolving the conflict, but it would reduce to nothing a two-state solution".

Huffington Post

Hence, we did not find a core of metabolic reactions shared by the symbiotic bacteria which agrees with the idea that searching for ubiquity as more genomes are included may ultimately reduce to nothing [ 20].

BMC Genomics

Reduce to nothing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

She has been reduced to nothing.

The Guardian - Music

Finally, the mighty towers themselves were reduced to nothing.

The New York Times

Maths is often reduced to nothing more than a MacGuffin.

The Guardian - Film

"Now at 38, I was reduced to nothing," Olga thinks.

The Guardian - Books

"Here is this mighty leader reduced to nothing," she added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reduce to nothing" to emphasize a complete loss or destruction, indicating that something has been diminished to the point of non-existence or insignificance. For example: "The fire reduced their house to nothing."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "reduce to nothing" can sound dramatic. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "nullify" or "invalidate" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce to nothing" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing complete negation or destruction. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, with examples showing its use to describe situations where something is completely diminished or invalidated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce to nothing" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the complete diminishment, destruction, or invalidation of something. Ludwig's AI validates its correctness and provides examples across various contexts. While versatile, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, followed by scientific and formal business contexts. While acceptable in many situations, using more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional writing. Remember to consider your audience and purpose when choosing this phrase to ensure the message is communicated effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wipe out completely

Indicates the total removal or elimination of something.

completely negate

Focuses on reversing or undoing something entirely.

diminish to insignificance

Focuses on making something unimportant or trivial.

obliterate entirely

Highlights the complete removal of traces of something.

nullify entirely

Stresses the complete cancellation or negation of something.

erase completely

Indicates the act of removing all traces of something as if it never existed.

invalidate entirely

Emphasizes making something completely without effect or force.

annihilate completely

Emphasizes total destruction or obliteration of something.

render invalid

Highlights making something void or without legal effect.

bring to naught

An archaic way of saying to ruin or destroy something.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce to nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce to nothing" to express the complete annihilation or significant diminishing of something. For example: "The storm "reduced the sandcastle to nothing"" or "His efforts were "reduced to nothing" by the new management".

What does "reduce to nothing" mean?

The phrase "reduce to nothing" means to diminish, destroy, or invalidate something to the point where it is nonexistent or insignificant. It emphasizes a complete loss or negation.

What are some alternatives to "reduce to nothing"?

Some alternatives include "annihilate completely", "wipe out completely", or "invalidate entirely". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "reduce to nothing" formal or informal?

The phrase "reduce to nothing" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in some professional settings. It's neither highly technical nor overly casual.