almost constantly

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost constantly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an action or state that occurs frequently or non-stop, but with small breaks or interruptions. It emphasizes the frequency of the action or state. Example: Despite her busy schedule, Sarah was almost constantly checking her phone for updates from her family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So almost constantly?

The Guardian

But I'm flying almost constantly.

The New York Times

Almost constantly for an unlucky few.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The dancers keep their eyes lowered almost constantly.

The New York Times - Arts

But he is almost constantly on the move.

The Economist

The Gottliebs are on the road almost constantly.

The New York Times

For the first few days, they had cried almost constantly.

The New Yorker

Collazo is now almost constantly talking to Khan.

The Guardian - Sport

His right leg jiggled almost constantly under the table.

The Guardian

Such intense exercise demands that they eat almost constantly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Around the same time, Fritz Kreisler began applying vibrato almost constantly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost constantly" to convey a high degree of frequency with the understanding that brief interruptions or variations may occur. It's more nuanced than "constantly", suggesting a slight degree of fluctuation.

Common error

While "almost constantly" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Over-repetition can weaken your message. Consider varying your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost constantly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate frequency. It specifies that an action or state occurs very often, though not entirely without interruption. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost constantly" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase that indicates a high degree of frequency while allowing for occasional interruptions. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and suitable for diverse writing contexts. It's frequently found in news articles and scientific writing, conveying that something occurs regularly but not without some variation. When writing, use "almost constantly" to convey this sense of near-continuous action. Consider alternatives like "nearly continuously" or "practically all the time" for stylistic variation, and avoid overuse of the phrase to maintain writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly continuously

Emphasizes continuity with only slight interruptions.

virtually uninterruptedly

Highlights the lack of significant breaks in the action.

practically all the time

Focuses on the proportion of time the action occurs.

on a near-constant basis

Rephrases "almost constantly" with a stronger emphasis on routine.

incessantly for the most part

Highlights an action occurring without long pauses.

close to perpetually

Indicates a state that seems to last forever, but with slight breaks.

almost without a break

Stresses the absence of significant pauses.

recurring with high frequency

Highlights the repetitive nature of the action.

repeatedly for the majority of time

Emphasizes repetition over a considerable period.

regularly with minor interruptions

Focuses on the regularity of the action despite occasional breaks.

FAQs

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

Use "almost constantly" to describe an action or state that occurs frequently but not without any interruption. For example, "She was "almost constantly" checking her email for updates."

What are some alternatives to "almost constantly"?

You can use phrases like "nearly continuously", "virtually uninterruptedly", or "practically all the time" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "almost constantly"?

Yes, "almost constantly" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb to indicate the frequency of an action.

What is the difference between "almost constantly" and "constantly"?

"Almost constantly" implies that an action occurs very frequently but with occasional interruptions, whereas "constantly" suggests an action occurs without any breaks. Therefore, ""almost constantly"" conveys a slightly lesser degree of continuity than "constantly".