zero were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "zero were" is not correct in standard written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is likely a grammatical error or a miscommunication. Example: "In the final tally, zero were present at the meeting."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the law school, Jews (zero) were even more rare than women (three).

The New Yorker

The tests beyond ground zero were favorable, they said, but workers at ground zero should wear protection.

The New York Times

The morning ceremonies at ground zero were especially moving.

The New York Times

Temperatures well below zero were too much for the system.

The New York Times - Sports

Even employees far removed from ground zero were inspired to seize new roles.

The New York Times

The nightly video pictures at ground zero were shot by government photographers.

The New York Times

Several songs from "Year Zero" were left on U.S.B. drives in the bathrooms of venues hosting N.I.N. shows.

The New Yorker

That is one of the reasons the original plans for Ground Zero were so cautious, and so bland.

The New Yorker

Most of the conference attendees would be shocked if a stray zero were found and Riemann was proven wrong.

The New York Times - Science

The last remnants of ground zero were removed last week, and some of us cried one more time.

The New York Times

Both the new PATH station and the Freedom Tower, the tallest skyscraper at ground zero, were under construction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject being described is clearly plural if you choose the plural verb form

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use "zero were" as a standalone pronoun. In narrative sentences, it is usually better to use "none were" to avoid an awkward clash between the number zero and a plural verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "zero were" typically functions as a subject-verb pairing where zero acts as a quantifier or a specific numerical identifier for a plural subject. According to Ludwig AI, while technically debated in standard English, it is a functional necessity in technical writing to indicate that multiple entities or data points met the condition of being zero.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, the phrase "zero were" occupies a unique space in the English language. While Ludwig AI highlights that it is often viewed as incorrect in a traditional narrative sense—favoring alternatives like "none were"—the actual usage data proves it is vital in professional spheres. It is ubiquitous in Scientific journals and News & Media reports, especially when describing multiple data points or specific historical sites like Ground Zero. When your subject involves a collection of items that happen to be zero, using the plural verb maintains the logic of your dataset and ensures clarity for technical readers. However, for smoother creative writing, consider switching to a singular form or a different quantifier.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

none were

Uses a more standard plural pronoun that flows better in general prose

nil were

Utilizes a more formal or mathematical term for zero

zero was

Treats zero as a singular quantity or result

no cases were

Specifies exactly what is being counted as zero

null values were

Provides a more precise technical description of empty data points

nothing was

A more conversational and absolute way to express zero presence

not any were

Breaks the phrase into a more explicit negative quantifier

zero records were

Identifies the plural items that were absent or counted at zero

all results were zero

Flips the structure to make the subject plural and descriptive

zero count was

Refocuses the sentence on the numerical count as a singular subject

FAQs

Is it correct to say "zero were"?

Yes, it is acceptable in specific contexts. While Ludwig AI notes it may seem incorrect in isolation, it is frequently used in scientific reporting when referring to multiple plural values, measurements or data points. If you are writing general prose, you might prefer "none were".

What can I say instead of "zero were"?

You can use alternatives like "none were", "nil were", or "no cases were" depending on whether you are writing for a general or technical audience.

Which is correct, "zero were" or "zero was"?

Both can be correct. Use "zero was" when zero is the subject or the specific result. Use "zero were" when it quantifies a plural noun, such as "values shown as zero were removed".

When is "zero were" most common?

It is most common in science and news. It often appears in phrases like "Ground Zero were" or in statistical analyses where multiple "reads at zero were discarded".