almost all of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost all of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a nearly complete group or amount. For example: "Almost all of the students in my class passed the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost all of Pres.

The New Yorker

"But almost all of them".

The New York Times

(Almost all of them do).

The Guardian

Well, almost all of them.

The New York Times

Almost all of them survived.

The New York Times

Almost all of Staten Island.

The New York Times

Nowadays, almost all of wine is global.

The New York Times

Almost all of the choices are nonvegetarian.

The New York Times

But almost all of them are conformists.

The New Yorker

But almost all of them were shelved.

The Economist

We were renters, almost all of us.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost all of", ensure the context clearly defines the group or quantity being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "almost all of" when the proportion is significantly less than expected. Instead, consider more precise quantifiers such as "a majority of" or "many".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost all of" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate that a large majority, but not the entirety, of the referred entity is being considered. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to specify quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost all of" is a versatile and grammatically sound quantifier used to denote a significant majority while acknowledging possible exceptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency across various contexts, especially news and media, highlights its importance in conveying nuanced information. When using "almost all of", ensure clarity in defining the reference group and avoid overstating claims. Alternatives like "nearly all" or "the majority of" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis or formality depending on the specific writing need. Proper use of this phrase enhances precision and credibility in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly all

Omits the preposition "of" making it slightly more concise.

the majority of

Replaces "almost all" with a more formal expression.

most of

A shorter and more common alternative, slightly less emphatic.

virtually all

Emphasizes the near-complete nature of the set.

practically all

Similar to "virtually all", highlighting the practical completeness.

a great many

Emphasizes the large quantity, suitable for countable items.

the bulk of

Focuses on the largest part or share.

by far the most

Highlights that the vast majority is being considered.

in most instances

Shifts the focus to individual cases rather than the collective.

for the most part

Indicates that the statement is generally true, with possible exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "almost all of" in a sentence?

You can use "almost all of" to describe a situation where a large majority, but not quite all, of something is true. For example, "Almost all of the students passed the exam."

What is a synonym for "almost all of"?

Synonyms for "almost all of" include "nearly all", "the majority of", or "most of", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost all" without the "of"?

While "almost all" is sometimes used without "of", it's generally better to use "almost all of" when referring to a specific group or quantity. For example, "Almost all of the books were damaged" is preferred over "Almost all books were damaged".

What's the difference between "almost all of" and "all of"?

"All of" indicates 100% of something, while "almost all of" indicates a very high percentage, but not quite 100%. For instance, "All of the tickets were sold" means every single ticket was sold, whereas "Almost all of the tickets were sold" means only a few might remain.