almost around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is nearly in a circular or surrounding position, but not quite fully so. Example: "The children were almost around the playground, but a few were still at the entrance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Fan et al. (2015) demonstrated that after the NG price reform, the fuel cost of NGFE increased by 26%44%%, and the ratio of fuel costs between NGFE and CFE in China is almost around 2 2.5.

Petroleum Science

"Société du Vin will be open almost around the clock".

The New York Times - Food

Jules Courteney Coxx) and her friends in "Cougar Town" tipple almost around the clock.

The New York Times - Arts

Automakers have been running their factories almost around the clock, paying costly overtime and deferring maintenance.

The New York Times

It now has electricity almost around the clock and reliable natural gas service.

The New York Times

It is the government's position, the moderate one, and it vanishes from Karachi almost around the corner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

More than 200 divers were working in shifts almost around-the-clock.

The Guardian

The coverage was visually similar to the white Bronco chase at the start of the almost around-the-clock coverage of the O.J. Simpson murder case in 1994.

The New York Times

The channel's plans amount to almost-around-the-clock coverage.

The New York Times

You can almost sit around and wonder what to do.

The New York Times - Sports

Add your clasp when your bracelet is long enough to almost fit around your wrist.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a near-circular arrangement or a situation close to being all-encompassing, use "almost around" to convey the sense of proximity without complete realization. For example, "The crowd was "almost around" the stage before the band started playing."

Common error

Avoid using "almost around" to describe non-spatial or abstract concepts. The phrase primarily implies physical proximity or encirclement, and its use in other contexts can lead to confusion. For example, instead of saying "The decision was "almost around" being finalized", use "The decision was close to being finalized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost around" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is in a surrounding or encompassing state. As Ludwig AI points out, the examples showcase its use to describe both spatial arrangements and time-related activities nearing completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost around" is a versatile adverbial modifier signifying near-completion or approximation of encirclement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across diverse contexts. While primarily denoting spatial arrangements, it can also relate to temporal events, as exemplified by its use in describing near-continuous work. However, its application should be limited to scenarios implying physical proximity or near-totality to avoid misinterpretation. Consider alternatives like "nearly surrounding" or "virtually encircling" to improve precision and clarity. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media and scientific publications, lending to its neutral formality. The diversity of sources further confirms its broad acceptability. Its frequency is qualified as 'common' due to the number of examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly surrounding

Emphasizes the proximity to fully surrounding something, focusing on the spatial relationship.

virtually encircling

Highlights the near completion of encircling something, adding a sense of totality.

just about encircling

Indicates a state of very nearly forming a circle around something.

practically surrounding

Similar to 'nearly surrounding' but emphasizes the practical outcome of the near-surrounding state.

approximately surrounding

Highlights the approximation of surrounding something without exact precision.

close to encompassing

Highlights the idea of including or covering nearly everything.

approaching complete enclosure

Emphasizes the ongoing process of nearly enclosing something.

on the verge of surrounding

Emphasizes the imminence of completely surrounding something.

bordering on enclosure

Focuses on the idea of nearly reaching a state of being enclosed.

in the vicinity

Focuses on being near or in the general area, losing the sense of encirclement.

FAQs

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

Use "almost around" to describe something that is close to encircling or surrounding something else. For example, "The protestors were "almost around" the building".

What's a good substitute for "almost around" in describing physical space?

Alternatives include "nearly surrounding", "virtually encircling", or "practically surrounding". Choose the one that best fits the context of your sentence.

Is "almost around" always about physical space?

While primarily used for describing physical arrangements, "almost around" can sometimes be used metaphorically. However, it's best to reserve it for situations where there's a sense of something nearing completion or full extent. Using "nearly completed" for abstract concepts would sound more appropriate.

Can I use "almost around" to describe time?

While less common, you might use "almost around" when describing events that happen nearly continuously, such as "They worked "almost around" the clock". In such cases, alternatives like "nearly continuously" or "almost constantly" may be more appropriate.