almost always

USAGE SUMMARY

'almost always' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something almost never fails to happen or is true in most cases. For example, "I almost always arrive on time for work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or almost always.

The New Yorker

Cheney almost always attended.

The New Yorker

They almost always buy".

The New York Times - Food

They've almost always succeeded.

The New Yorker

It almost always does.

The New York Times

They're almost always male.

Independent

DeLay was almost always there.

The Economist

That is almost always fleeting.

The New York Times

Words are almost always harmless.

The New York Times

They almost always have crewcuts.

The New Yorker

But it's almost always fascinating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost always" when you want to convey a high degree of certainty, but acknowledge that exceptions are possible. For example, "The train is almost always on time, but delays do occasionally happen."

Common error

Avoid using "almost always" when describing situations with significant variability. Using "often" or "frequently" is more appropriate when the occurrence is less predictable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "almost always" is as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it indicates the frequency or probability of an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost always" functions as an adverbial phrase to express a high degree of frequency or probability, acknowledging potential exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, primarily appearing in news, encyclopedias, science, and wiki sources. Alternatives include "usually", "nearly always", and "more often than not", offering subtle variations in emphasis. When using "almost always", ensure the context aligns with a high likelihood while allowing for exceptions to avoid overstating certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly always

Uses "nearly" instead of "almost", slightly softening the degree of certainty.

virtually always

Emphasizes the extremely high likelihood of something occurring.

almost without exception

Highlights the rarity of exceptions to the rule.

usually

A more common and slightly less emphatic alternative.

close to always

A more literal rephrasing, maintaining the core meaning.

typically

Similar to "usually", indicating a characteristic pattern.

in most cases

Shifts the focus to the prevalence of the event across different situations.

more often than not

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the frequency of an event.

for the most part

Focuses on the majority of instances, rather than the degree of certainty.

generally

A broader term indicating a common occurrence but allowing for more exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "almost always" in a sentence?

You can use "almost always" to describe something that happens very frequently, but not every single time. For instance, "I "almost always" have coffee in the morning."

What's the difference between "almost always" and "always"?

"Almost always" indicates that something is true or happens in nearly every case, while "always" implies it is true or happens in every single instance without exception. Using "almost always" acknowledges rare exceptions.

What are some alternatives to "almost always"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "usually", "nearly always", or "more often than not" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "almost always" or "most of the time"?

Both "almost always" and "most of the time" are acceptable, but "almost always" suggests a higher frequency or probability than "most of the time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.