almost completely different

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost completely different" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase to describe two things which differ significantly from each other, but may still have some similarities. For example: The new version of the product is almost completely different from the original - it has a new design and additional features.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Surprisingly, perhaps, they were almost completely different.

The New York Times

The skills are almost completely different.

The Guardian - Opinion

And now for something almost completely different.

The Guardian - Books

The first and second published editions of Amadeus have almost completely different second acts.

The Guardian

After you've read a page, the world will look almost completely different.

The Guardian

They have discovered that every phage they come across is almost completely different from the next.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's almost a completely different place today".

The New York Times

"It's almost a completely different conference than the one I played in".

The New York Times - Sports

"The learning experience we've had over the last 12 months has been so significant that it is almost a completely different team".

The Guardian - Sport

It's almost a completely different experience," he says.

Science Magazine

After 24 hours, your rose petals should be almost a completely different color.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost completely different" when you want to emphasize a significant degree of dissimilarity while acknowledging that some minimal overlap or connection might still exist. For example, "While both novels explore similar themes, the author's approach in the sequel is "almost completely different", focusing on a new set of characters and a drastically altered setting."

Common error

Avoid using "almost completely different" when the items in question share substantial similarities. If the differences are only superficial or minor, a phrase like "slightly different" or "somewhat distinct" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost completely different" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that describes a noun by specifying the degree to which it is different. It indicates a high degree of dissimilarity while acknowledging some minor shared aspects. Ludwig AI confirms that this is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost completely different" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to describe things that are highly dissimilar yet retain some minimal connection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "largely dissimilar" exist, the specific wording of "almost completely different" offers a nuanced way to emphasize significant divergence. When using the phrase, be mindful of not overstating the degree of difference if substantial similarities are present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly entirely dissimilar

Replaces "almost" with "nearly" and "completely" with "entirely", emphasizing the lack of similarity.

virtually entirely distinct

Substitutes "almost" with "virtually" and "different" with "distinct", highlighting the separateness.

largely dissimilar

Uses "largely" to convey the extent of difference, simplifying the original phrase.

substantially contrasting

Emphasizes the contrast between the items, using more formal language.

markedly divergent

Highlights the point at which the items separate or deviate, suggesting a branching out.

significantly unlike

Uses "significantly" to describe the magnitude of the difference, focusing on the lack of likeness.

distinct to a high degree

This alternative phrase is more formal and explicitly emphasizes the extent of the distinction.

bears little resemblance

Focuses on the lack of similarity, indicating that the items share few characteristics.

hardly comparable

Suggests that the items are so different that comparison is difficult or inappropriate.

worlds apart

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the extreme difference between the items.

FAQs

How can I use "almost completely different" in a sentence?

You can use "almost completely different" to describe two things that share only a few similarities, for example: "The sequel's plot is "almost completely different" from the original movie."

What are some alternatives to "almost completely different"?

Some alternatives you can use include "nearly entirely dissimilar", "largely dissimilar", or "substantially contrasting".

Is it redundant to say "almost completely different"?

While "completely different" implies no overlap, adding "almost" softens the statement to acknowledge minor similarities that might exist. The phrase emphasizes a significant degree of dissimilarity while accounting for subtle connections.

What's the difference between "almost completely different" and "somewhat different"?

"Almost completely different" suggests a major divergence with minimal overlap, whereas "somewhat different" implies a less pronounced distinction. The former indicates a substantial transformation, while the latter indicates a modest variation.