virtually nil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'virtually nil' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a number that is almost zero or a small amount. For example, you could say, "The amount of rainfall this summer has been virtually nil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Literacy is virtually nil.

The Economist

Social life is virtually nil.

The Economist

As a reader, virtually nil.

The New York Times

Their rights were virtually nil.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inflation is now virtually nil.

The New York Times

Crime in Essex is virtually nil.

The New York Times - Travel

With interest rates virtually nil, it's also cost-effective.

The Guardian - Money

Now, the total value of these securities is virtually nil.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prospects for programs boosting public investment are virtually nil.

The New York Times - Books

"The fact of steroids having any effect at this time is virtually nil," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And the chances of Colton, an elected official, doing that are virtually nil.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually nil" to emphasize that something is so close to zero that it's practically non-existent. This adds more impact than simply saying "very little".

Common error

While "virtually nil" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more precise or technical terms if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually nil" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the quantity or effect of something is almost zero. It serves to emphasize the insignificance or near absence of a particular attribute. Ludwig shows it's used to describe probabilities, values, or influences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually nil" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies something is almost non-existent or negligible. As Ludwig confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, to emphasize the insignificance or near absence of something. While various alternatives exist, such as "almost nonexistent" or "practically zero", "virtually nil" provides a concise and impactful way to convey extreme smallness. When writing, remember its suitability for both formal and informal settings, though overuse in highly formal contexts should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost nonexistent

This alternative directly replaces "virtually nil" with a synonymous adjective phrase, emphasizing the near absence of something.

practically zero

This alternative uses "practically" instead of "virtually", maintaining a similar level of emphasis on the near-zero quantity.

next to nothing

This phrase offers a more colloquial way of expressing "virtually nil", implying a very small or insignificant amount.

close to zero

This alternative replaces "nil" with "zero", providing a more literal and direct expression of the concept.

essentially absent

This alternative uses "essentially absent" to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the lack of presence.

negligible

This single-word alternative succinctly conveys the idea of something being so small as to be unimportant.

scarcely any

This alternative emphasizes the lack of quantity, implying that there is very little of something.

effectively nonexistent

This emphasizes the functional absence of something, even if it technically exists.

vanishingly small

This alternative conveys the idea of something being extremely small and approaching zero.

insignificant amount

This phrase explicitly describes the quantity as being unimportant due to its small size.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually nil" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually nil" to describe something that is almost non-existent or has a value very close to zero. For example, "The chances of winning the lottery are "virtually nil"".

What are some alternatives to "virtually nil"?

Alternatives include "almost nonexistent", "practically zero", or "next to nothing", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "virtually zero" instead of "virtually nil"?

Yes, "virtually zero" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "virtually nil". Both convey the same meaning of being almost nothing.

What is the difference between "virtually nil" and "insignificant amount"?

"Virtually nil" emphasizes the quantity being close to zero, while "insignificant amount" focuses on the quantity being unimportant or negligible due to its small size. They are similar but have slightly different nuances.