Nearly everyone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Nearly everyone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a large majority of people are included in a statement or situation. Example: "Nearly everyone at the party enjoyed the live music and dancing."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Usage

News & Media

Academic Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nearly everyone went.

The New York Times

"Nearly everyone hates hotels.

The New Yorker

Nearly everyone does.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nearly everyone else's fell.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nearly everyone slept poorly.

The New York Times

Nearly everyone carries an asterisk.

The New York Times - Sports

Nearly everyone else had muzzleloaders.

The New York Times

Nearly everyone had chin hair.

The New Yorker

Nearly everyone had a story.

The New Yorker

Nearly everyone got sunburned.

The New York Times

Nearly everyone said so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly everyone" when you want to convey that a situation or feeling is common among a large group, but not necessarily universal. This acknowledges that there may be exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly everyone" when the statement genuinely applies to absolutely everyone. In such cases, "everyone" is more accurate and avoids unnecessary hedging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly everyone" functions as a quantifier, specifically a determiner, indicating a quantity close to the total number of individuals. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun to express that the statement applies to the vast majority of a group. Ludwig AI validates the correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

10%

General Usage

38%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly everyone" is a versatile quantifier indicating that a statement applies to a large majority, but not necessarily all, individuals within a specific group. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It commonly appears in news and media, academic discussions, and everyday conversation, serving to generalize about a group while acknowledging exceptions. Alternatives such as "almost everyone" or "most people" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "nearly everyone", ensure it accurately represents the scope of the statement to avoid overstating universality. By avoiding overuse and maintaining precision, writers can effectively leverage the power of "nearly everyone" to create clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost everyone

Slightly more direct synonym; conveys a similar meaning of near totality.

practically everyone

Emphasizes the realistic aspect of near totality, suggesting very few exceptions.

virtually everyone

Indicates that for all practical purposes, everyone is included, though technically there might be exceptions.

the vast majority

Highlights the large proportion more explicitly.

almost all people

Replaces 'everyone' with 'all people', making it slightly more formal.

the great majority

Similar to 'vast majority' but perhaps slightly less emphatic.

most people

A more general term indicating more than half, but still a significant portion.

a majority of people

More formal and specific in denoting a proportion greater than half.

close to everyone

A less formal, more conversational way of expressing near-universal inclusion.

by and large, everyone

Indicates that generally or on the whole, the statement applies to everyone.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly everyone" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly everyone" to indicate that a large majority of people share a similar experience, opinion, or characteristic. For example, "Nearly everyone I know enjoys watching movies."

What are some alternatives to using "nearly everyone"?

Alternatives to "nearly everyone" include phrases like "almost everyone", "most people", or "the vast majority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "nearly everyone"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "nearly everyone". The word "nearly" functions as an adverb modifying "everyone", indicating a quantity close to the total.

What is the difference between "nearly everyone" and "almost everyone"?

While both phrases are very similar, "almost everyone" suggests a slightly higher degree of inclusivity than "nearly everyone". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to place on the near-totality.