small to zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small to zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very low quantity or likelihood of something occurring. Example: "The chances of rain tomorrow are small to zero, so we can plan our outdoor event without worry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Again, most coefficients are very small to zero, meaning the short-term changing body parts are sparsely distributed.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Increased quantitative level was assigned to the specific genotype combination of ground-truth loci, and marginal effect of each ground-truth locus individually ranges from very small to zero.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Of course, what is small to one person is a major bill to someone else.

Forbes

To analyze responses, figures were numbered from one (smallest) to eight (largest).

BMC Pediatrics

oma was too small to pursue two gargantuan projects, and Koolhaas chose to "go East".

The New Yorker

Each time the number gets smaller and smaller and smaller, getting "closer" to zero.

WikiHow

The staff-youth ratio is small, one to four, compared with a ratio of one to 12 in the other juvenile facilities.

The New York Times

The town's defenses had been supplemented by three small (three to four man) garrisons of colonial troops under the overall command of Major Turner.

Wikipedia

A colorless liquid made from corn or malt with a small (five to eight percent) solution of acetic acid, white or distilled vinegar is an antimicrobial, antifungal agent that can be used throughout the house.

Huffington Post

For small, one to two axolotl aquariums, simply fill the tank with de-chlorinated water and let it sit for one to two weeks.

WikiHow

Velcro a small flower to one of the leaves for a decorative touch.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing probabilities or quantities, use "small to zero" to convey a very low likelihood or amount, indicating that the value is nearly nonexistent but not strictly zero.

Common error

Avoid using "small to zero" when a quantity is definitively zero. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or near-absence, not absolute absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small to zero" functions as a qualifier, indicating a quantity or probability that is extremely low. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, primarily to denote near-absence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small to zero" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a quantity or probability that is very low, almost nonexistent. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various writing contexts, including scientific and general writing. While more informal alternatives exist, such as "virtually zero" or "negligible to nonexistent", "small to zero" effectively conveys a sense of near-absence. It's most appropriate when there's a slight possibility that the value isn't exactly zero. Though not as frequent as other similar expressions, it remains a valid and useful option for expressing minimal quantities or probabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to zero

Indicates proximity to zero but doesn't explicitly state a range.

negligible to nonexistent

Emphasizes the insignificance and potential absence of something.

minimal to none

Highlights the almost complete lack of something.

virtually zero

Stresses that something is so close to zero it's practically nothing.

approaching zero

Indicates a trend towards zero but not necessarily reaching it.

insignificant to absent

Underscores the lack of importance and potential absence of something.

vanishingly small

Highlights how extremely small something is, nearing zero.

effectively zero

Suggests that for all practical purposes, the value is zero.

nearing zero

Similar to 'approaching zero' but with a sense of being very close.

next to nothing

Informal way of expressing a very small quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "small to zero" in a sentence?

You can use "small to zero" to describe quantities or likelihoods that are very low, almost nonexistent. For example, "The chances of errors are "small to zero" after the system upgrade."

What's a good alternative to "small to zero"?

Alternatives include "negligible to nonexistent", "minimal to none", or "virtually zero", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "small to zero" grammatically correct?

Yes, "small to zero" is grammatically correct and understandable, though it's more informal than some alternatives. It's used to express a range close to zero.

When is it appropriate to use "small to zero" instead of "zero"?

Use "small to zero" when there's a possibility, however slight, that the value is not exactly zero. If the value is definitively zero, use "zero".