almost continually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost continually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or state that occurs frequently or with very little interruption over a period of time. Example: "The rain fell almost continually throughout the night, leaving the streets flooded by morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Kolkhida Lowland was formerly an almost continually stagnant swamp.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The elite service is almost continually adding new perks.

Independent

The Ottoman Empire almost continually threatened Europe during Ferdinand's reign.

Britannica

But lately they have been ringing almost continually.

The New York Times

The government sector has been shrinking almost continually since the end of the recession.

The New York Times

This 10-minute piece is almost continually hushed and quietly captivating.

The New York Times - Arts

From 1833 until 1939 Spain almost continually had a parliamentary system with a written constitution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But her plating groaned in heavy seas, and water sloshed almost continually over the afterdeck.

The Economist

A bittersweet, contemplative melancholy pervades the score, which moves almost continually at a calm pace.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Kitterman had worked as a contractor in Iraq almost continually since 2003, Mr. Wright said.

The New York Times

When the text is sung, the vocal lines are almost continually slow, sustained and ponderous.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "almost continually" with synonyms such as "nearly continuously" or "virtually uninterruptedly" for a more formal tone, or "pretty regularly" for an informal tone, depending on the context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "almost continually" when the action has significant or frequent interruptions. Opt for phrases like "frequently" or "often" to better reflect the actual occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost continually" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the frequency or duration of an action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It describes actions that occur very often but not necessarily without any interruption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost continually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase. It indicates that an action or state occurs with high frequency, with only occasional or minor interruptions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific writing, lending itself to a variety of contexts where near-continuous action needs to be described. While alternatives exist for different tones and levels of formality, "almost continually" strikes a balance between precision and accessibility. Overstating continuity is a common pitfall and writers should be mindful of the true frequency of the action being described to use "almost continually" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly continuously

Replaces 'almost' with 'nearly' and 'continually' with 'continuously', keeping the meaning almost identical.

all but constantly

A slightly more emphatic synonym, suggesting that something is very close to constant.

virtually uninterruptedly

Substitutes both words with near synonyms emphasizing lack of interruption. It's more formal.

practically without pause

Expresses a similar meaning by focusing on the absence of pauses, rather than continuous action.

on an ongoing basis

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the activity, implying a longer timeframe than "almost continually".

incessantly

Implies an even higher degree of continuity, often with a negative connotation of being annoying or disruptive.

very frequently

Simplifies the phrase by using 'very' and 'frequently', focusing on the high occurrence rate.

more often than not

Indicates something happens regularly but allows for more exceptions than "almost continually".

pretty regularly

Uses a more informal tone to express frequent occurrence.

time after time

Emphasizes the repeated nature of an event rather than its continuous state.

FAQs

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

Use "almost continually" to describe an action or state that occurs frequently, with only minor interruptions. For example: "The student studied "almost continually" in preparation for the exam."

What phrases are similar to "almost continually"?

Alternatives to "almost continually" include "nearly continuously", "virtually uninterruptedly", or "pretty regularly", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "almost continually"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Almost continually" is used to describe something that happens with very few interruptions.

What's the difference between "almost continually" and "constantly"?

"Almost continually" implies very frequent occurrence with minor interruptions, while "constantly" suggests uninterrupted occurrence. If there are any breaks or pauses, "almost continually" is more accurate.