zero income

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "zero income" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an individual or entity is not earning any money or revenue. Example: "After losing my job, I found myself in a difficult position with zero income for several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We have zero income," Ms. Jennings said.

The New York Times

"I've had zero income for a while," Ms. Faiella said.

The New York Times

"That region is going to have zero income anyway.

The New York Times

Maybe the I.R.S. could stick in a big red box saying ZERO INCOME TAXES whenever appropriate.

The New York Times

It's all the people out there with zero income that I worry about".

The New York Times

"He's low income — zero income — and you said they should watch TV and know some information.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

One disabled woman I know has zero income-producing capacity.

Huffington Post

In another set of preliminary analyses (not detailed here) we employed an analytic sample, with the only filters being that the respondent had a valid, non-zero income.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

People's income is redistributed within their families; high-income individuals, who are motivated by altruism, would like to give a portion or all of their income to low-income or zero-income members in their families (Becker 1987: 195 203).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Low-to-zero income, low credit scores, and lack of collateral were some of the obvious barriers.

Huffington Post

Every court that has heard the zero-income argument has rejected it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's financial situation, ensure the context is clear. For example, specify if the "zero income" is temporary due to unemployment or a long-term condition due to disability.

Common error

Avoid implying that "zero income" automatically equates to a lack of effort or motivation. Many factors, such as health issues, economic downturns, or caregiving responsibilities, can contribute to someone having no income.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "zero income" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes a state of having no monetary earnings. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "zero income" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the absence of monetary earnings. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is frequently used in news, science, and business contexts to depict various financial situations. When using "zero income", be mindful of potential misinterpretations and ensure clarity regarding the context, whether it's temporary unemployment or a more prolonged circumstance. Alternatives like "no earnings" or "lack of income" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no earnings

Focuses on the absence of earnings, highlighting the lack of money being made.

without income

Emphasizes the state of being without any source of income.

lack of income

Highlights the deficiency or absence of income.

nil income

Uses "nil" as a more formal synonym for zero, indicating a complete absence of income.

no revenue stream

Specifically refers to the absence of a consistent flow of revenue.

no financial resources

Broadly describes the absence of financial means or assets.

living on savings alone

Focuses on the reliance on savings due to the absence of current income.

financially destitute

Emphasizes a state of extreme poverty and lack of financial resources.

penniless

Indicates having no money at all, often implying a state of impoverishment.

insolvent

Describes a state of being unable to pay debts due to lack of income or assets.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "zero income"?

Having "zero income" means that an individual or entity has no source of revenue or earnings. This can be due to unemployment, business losses, or other circumstances.

What are some situations where someone might have "zero income"?

Situations include unemployment, being a full-time student, taking a sabbatical, disability preventing work, or a business experiencing losses.

What are some phrases similar to "zero income"?

Alternatives include "no earnings", "lack of income", or "without income", depending on the context.

How does reporting "zero income" affect taxes?

Reporting "zero income" on a tax return means no income taxes are owed. However, it might impact eligibility for certain tax credits or deductions. Some people fraudulently report "zero income", which can lead to legal issues.