almost at once

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost at once" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happens immediately after another event. For example: I saw him enter the room, and he almost at once started talking to the other guests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They appeared almost at once.

The New Yorker

Madge does, almost at once.

The New Yorker

Almost at once they began to speak.

The New Yorker

Mossberg's influence was felt almost at once.

The New Yorker

Almost at once, we find ourselves laughing.

The Guardian

Ali's health nosedived almost at once.

The Guardian - Sport

I contemplated returning home almost at once.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And so a depression set in almost at once.

The New Yorker

She surprised them by agreeing almost at once.

The New York Times

Almost at once, I felt the stress fade away.

The New York Times

Almost at once, Mr. Drum's phone started ringing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly establishes the initial action before using "almost at once" to create a sense of immediacy. The phrase works best when the temporal relationship between the two events is concise and direct.

Common error

Avoid using "almost at once" when the subsequent event is not directly or immediately related to the first. Using it when there's a delay or intervening actions weakens the impact and may confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost at once" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. According to Ludwig, it describes something happening immediately or very soon after another event. This contrasts with a more delayed reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost at once" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase that signifies a near-immediate occurrence following another event. As Ludwig confirms, it’s appropriate for various writing styles, especially news and media. When using this phrase, remember that its effectiveness hinges on the clear and direct temporal connection between the two events. Over all, it's important to emphasize immediacy and be clear on which initial action is prompting the reaction or consequence. By bearing these considerations in mind, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "almost at once" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately after

Focuses on the temporal sequence, highlighting what follows directly.

shortly thereafter

Emphasizes the brief period between two events.

very quickly

Highlights the speed with which something happens.

in short order

Suggests efficiency and promptness.

virtually immediately

Highlights immediacy with near simultaneity.

in rapid succession

Implies a series of events occurring one after another with minimal delay.

promptly

Conveys the action happened without delay.

instantaneously

Stresses the immediate nature of the occurrence.

near instantaneously

Similar to instantaneously with more emphasis on the temporal proximity.

expeditiously

Highlights how the action happened quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

What does "almost at once" mean?

"Almost at once" means happening very soon after something else; nearly immediately.

How can I rephrase "almost at once"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately after", "shortly thereafter", or "very quickly" depending on the context.

Is "almost at once" formal or informal?

"Almost at once" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its neutrality makes it versatile across various contexts.

Can I use "almost at once" in academic writing?

Yes, "almost at once" is appropriate for academic writing to describe events that occur in close temporal proximity. For example, "The reaction occurred, and the change was observed "almost at once"."