almost always true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost always true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is generally true, but with a few exceptions. For example, "It's almost always true that hard work will pay off in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Stories about Baldwin abound, and they are almost always true.

The Guardian

In my experience of testing Euro-spec offerings from most automakers, the reverse is almost always true.

The New York Times

But as is almost always true with LAByrinth, which specializes in stories of marginal lives under duress, "Little Flower" exudes the heat of true emotional conviction.

The New York Times

She insists that her stage stories are almost always true – apart from one about complimenting Richard Dawkins on his "Jesus sandals" – and that the audition is nearly verbatim.

The Guardian

"These stories have a ring of cliché about them," Erroll McDonald, Pantheon's executive editor and one of the few prominent blacks in publishing, says, "but, as we all know about clichés, they're almost always true".

The New Yorker

When you put a camera and a film crew into a room, the observer's paradox is almost always true – you can't capture life because you're in the way of it.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Each survey item was evaluated by the participant on a five-point scale from 1 (rarely or never true) to 5 (almost always or always true).

International Journal of STEM Education

Each of the 39 items is scored on five-point Likert scales ranging from 1 (never or very rarely true) to 5 (almost always or always true).

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

In the world of opera, when directors update repertory works to contemporary settings, they almost always remain true to the original music and libretto.

The New York Times - Arts

The film almost always rings true, and that's a real testament to the dream team behind it, including Mick Jagger who was the ideal sympathetic and powerful producer.

Huffington Post

Aaron Karo is one of these guys who seems to have it really figured out; I can't speak to his financial situation, but in terms of his website and his "Ruminations", they are almost always very true and always very funny.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost always true" to acknowledge exceptions without undermining the overall validity of a statement. This adds nuance and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "almost always true" when the statement is only sometimes true. Exaggerating can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost always true" functions as an adverbial modifier to qualify the truthfulness of a statement. It indicates a high degree of certainty while acknowledging possible exceptions, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost always true" is a versatile qualifier, indicating a high degree of certainty while acknowledging exceptions. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. To maintain credibility, use this phrase judiciously and avoid overstating claims. Consider alternatives such as "nearly always true" or "generally true" depending on the intended nuance. Remember to use "almost always true" when you want to convey accuracy while allowing for possible exceptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nearly always true

Emphasizes the closeness to being universally true.

Virtually always true

Highlights that the exceptions are negligible.

Practically always true

Similar to "almost always", but emphasizes practicality.

Almost invariably true

Uses "invariably" to highlight the consistent truthfulness.

Generally true

Indicates a truth that holds in most cases, but is less emphatic.

Usually true

A common and straightforward alternative.

Mostly true

Suggests that the statement is correct more often than not.

True in most cases

Specifies that the truth is conditional on the situation.

Typically true

Indicates that the statement is true under normal circumstances.

True more often than not

A less formal way to express the idea of something being generally correct.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost always true" to qualify a statement that is generally correct but may have exceptions. For instance, "It is "generally accepted" that exercise is beneficial, and while there are some conditions where it may need to be modified, it's almost always true that some form of physical activity is better than none."

What are some alternatives to "almost always true"?

Alternatives include "nearly always true", "generally true", or "true in most cases". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "almost always true" or "always true"?

It depends on the context. If there are known exceptions, "almost always true" is more accurate and credible. "Always true" should only be used if the statement holds without exception.

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

"Almost always true" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "usually true". "Usually true" implies that something is more often true than not, while "almost always true" suggests that it is very rarely false.