almost as many

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost as many" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a comparison when you need to compare two similar amounts or numbers. For example: "We had almost as many visitors to the museum last month as we had the month before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost as many suggested their dogs.

The Economist

She fired almost as many.

The New York Times

That's almost as many proposals as franchises.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost as many attempts have failed.

The New York Times - Sports

But almost as many questions would remain.

The Guardian - Tech

Almost as many have dependent children.

The New York Times

Yellen got almost as many negative votes, all from Republicans.

The New Yorker

He has had 27 girlfriends and almost as many jobs.

Independent

About ten years, through almost as many drafts.

The New Yorker

Sweden has almost as many female as male MPs.

The Economist

Still, there were almost as many security personnel as guests.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost as many" when you want to emphasize that two quantities are close but not exactly equal. This subtly acknowledges a difference while highlighting the similarity.

Common error

Avoid using "almost as many" when the quantities are significantly different. If the difference is substantial, opt for phrases like "far fewer" or "considerably more" to accurately reflect the disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost as many" functions as a quantifier used to indicate a near equivalence between two countable items. It qualifies a noun by suggesting that the quantity is slightly less than another, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost as many" is a versatile phrase used to express a near equivalence between two quantities, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonymous with phrases like "nearly as many", it is important to consider the subtle nuances in meaning and register when selecting the most appropriate alternative. The choice between "almost as many" (countable) and "almost as much" (uncountable) ensures grammatical accuracy. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase effectively communicates a close comparison while acknowledging slight differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly as many

This alternative is a direct synonym, substituting "almost" with "nearly" for a very slight change in emphasis.

practically as many

This emphasizes the closeness of the quantities, suggesting they are virtually the same.

virtually as many

Similar to 'practically', highlighting that the difference is so small it's almost negligible.

just about as many

This phrase adds a casual tone while maintaining similar meaning.

close to as many

Focuses on the proximity of the two quantities being compared.

almost the same number

Shifts the focus slightly to the numerical aspect of the comparison.

roughly the same amount

Changes to 'amount' which is appropriate for non-countable items; it is a less precise comparison.

nearly the equivalent number

Introduces 'equivalent,' adding a layer of formal precision to the comparison.

comparable number

Uses the term 'comparable' to suggest a similarity worthy of comparison, though it lacks the 'almost' modifier.

an approximate number

Shifts to describing a single number rather than a comparison between two amounts.

FAQs

How can I use "almost as many" in a sentence?

Use "almost as many" to compare two quantities that are nearly equal. For example, "This year, we received "almost as many applications" as last year."

What's a synonym for "almost as many"?

Alternatives to "almost as many" include "nearly as many", "practically as many", or "virtually as many". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "almost as many" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost as many" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to express a near equivalence. However, ensure the context warrants such a comparison. Phrases like "close to as many" might be more casual.

What is the difference between "almost as many" and "almost as much"?

"Almost as many" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "almost as many cars") while "almost as much" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "almost as much water"). Choosing the correct form ensures grammatical accuracy.