set at zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set at zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that a value or measurement has been adjusted to a baseline or starting point of zero. Example: "Before starting the experiment, make sure to set the scale at zero to ensure accurate measurements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Metaphorically speaking, the Uravan speed limit was set at zero.

The New Yorker

Right now, their climate science standard appears to be set at zero.

The Guardian

How longer might the eurozone experience record low interest rates, currently set at zero percent?

The Guardian - Business

US borrowing costs have been set at zero to 0.25% since the depths of the financial crisis in 2009.

The Guardian

For almost all of the past seven years interest rates in Japan have been set at zero.

The Economist

The BoJ is eager to "normalise" interest rates, which until a year ago were set at zero to counter deflation.

The Economist

It appeared it could mean the legislative architecture for emissions trading stayed in place, but with the price set at zero.

The Guardian

An important aspect of the Internet's original design is that many prices were set at zero — what have been called zero-price rules.

The New Yorker

Palmer wants a temporarily "frozen" emissions trading scheme – with a price set at zero until trading partners developed similar schemes, but he said this would not be a condition of his support for the carbon tax repeal.

The Guardian

For the first £10,000 of profits a company made, it would pay no tax - that is, the corporation tax was set at zero for this tranche of money.

The Guardian - Money

Palmer has said he will try to introduce a new emissions trading scheme with the price set at zero until other countries take action, but this is almost certain to be defeated in the lower house.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the initial state of a variable in technical writing, use "set at zero" to clearly indicate the starting point.

Common error

Avoid using "set at zero" when you actually mean something is entirely absent or non-existent. "Set at zero" implies a deliberate choice of a baseline, whereas absence implies a lack of something altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set at zero" functions as a descriptive term, often indicating a starting point, baseline, or a deliberate adjustment of a value. Ludwig confirms the correctness of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set at zero" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote the establishment of a zero-point baseline across diverse fields, as validated by Ludwig. Its frequency in scientific literature, news articles, and business reports underscores its widespread applicability and correctness. While semantically related phrases like ""adjusted to zero"" or ""initialized to zero"" can be used, careful attention to the specific context is crucial to ensure accurate communication. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms the phrase's correct usage, while also alerting to nuances that differentiate the phrase from absolute absence. The phrase sees prevalent use in formal, scientific, and neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjusted to zero

Emphasizes the act of making an adjustment to reach a zero value.

reset to zero

Implies returning to a zero baseline, often after a previous state.

initialized to zero

Suggests setting a starting value or initial state to zero.

calibrated to zero

Implies a precise adjustment, often in a scientific or technical context.

assigned a value of zero

Formal and explicit description of the assignment of the value zero.

brought to zero

Focuses on the action of reducing something until it reaches zero.

fixed at zero

Indicates that a value is permanently or deliberately maintained at zero.

pegged at zero

Suggests maintaining a fixed association with zero, often in financial contexts.

zeroed out

A more concise, informal way of saying something was set to zero.

nullified

Suggests rendering something void or ineffective, similar to setting it to zero.

FAQs

How to use "set at zero" in a sentence?

The phrase "set at zero" indicates that a value or parameter has been adjusted or initialized to a baseline of zero. For example, "The thermostat was "adjusted to zero" to prevent overheating" or "The counter was "initialized to zero" before starting the experiment".

What can I say instead of "set at zero"?

You can use alternatives like ""adjusted to zero"", ""initialized to zero"", or "zeroed out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "set at zero" or "set to zero"?

Both "set at zero" and "set to zero" are grammatically correct, but "set at zero" is more commonly used when referring to a specific point on a scale or a baseline value. "Set to zero" is also acceptable and conveys a similar meaning. Consider your context.

What's the difference between "set at zero" and "reset to zero"?

"Set at zero" implies an initial setting or adjustment, while "reset to zero" suggests returning something to its zero value after it has been changed or deviated. The term "reset" implies a return to a prior state.