almost continuously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost continuously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or state that occurs nearly all the time, with very few interruptions. Example: "The rain fell almost continuously throughout the night, leaving the streets flooded by morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His phone rang almost continuously.

The New Yorker

"It's been ongoing almost continuously since yesterday.

The New York Times

The DNA governed almost continuously from 1945 to 1965.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That beat ran almost continuously through the show.

The New York Times - Arts

This morning he talks for several hours, almost continuously.

The Guardian - Books

They went to lots of parties and laughed almost continuously.

The New Yorker

The result is a work that almost continuously strains credulity.

The New York Times - Books

He smokes a pipe almost continuously, as did Simenon.

The New Yorker

Large groups travel fast and swim almost continuously.

The New York Times

Until 1534 Guicciardini served the papacy almost continuously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The society has displayed them almost continuously for eight decades.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes, use "almost continuously" to accurately convey a high degree of continuity with only minor interruptions. For example, "The machine operated almost continuously throughout the week, except for brief maintenance checks."

Common error

Avoid using "almost continuously" when the action actually has significant interruptions. Instead, opt for phrases that better reflect the actual frequency, such as "frequently" or "regularly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost continuously" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how frequently an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something happens nearly all the time with only slight interruptions. Examples include, "His phone rang almost continuously" and "They went to lots of parties and laughed almost continuously".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost continuously" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a high degree of continuity with only minor interruptions. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, this phrase serves to emphasize the persistent nature of an action or state. When using "almost continuously", ensure it accurately reflects the frequency you wish to convey and consider alternatives like "nearly incessantly" or "virtually uninterruptedly" for nuanced expression. Avoid using it when significant interruptions occur, as it might overstate the continuity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly incessantly

Emphasizes the high frequency and lack of pauses, making it slightly stronger than "almost continuously".

virtually uninterruptedly

Highlights the absence of breaks or pauses, suggesting a state very close to being constant.

practically ceaselessly

Suggests that the action or state occurs with very few cessations or stops, closely mirroring the meaning of "almost continuously".

incessantly

Implies an unending or unrelenting nature, suggesting a slightly higher degree of continuity than the original phrase.

with little interruption

Focuses on the minimal disruption or breaks in the action, directly conveying the near-continuous nature.

on a near-constant basis

Highlights the recurring and frequent nature of the activity, emphasizing its consistent presence.

close to perpetually

Implies a state that's very close to permanent or never-ending, amplifying the sense of continuation.

more often than not

Emphasizes the high probability and frequency of the event, although it can also imply there are exceptions.

recurring frequently

Highlights the repeated and common occurrence of the action, stressing its frequency.

with minimal breaks

Stresses the rarity of pauses or interruptions in the activity, directly pointing to its continuous nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost continuously" to describe an action that happens regularly with few interruptions, such as "The baby cried "almost continuously" during the flight".

What phrases can I use instead of "almost continuously"?

Alternatives to "almost continuously" include "nearly incessantly", "virtually uninterruptedly", or "practically ceaselessly" depending on the context.

Is "almost continuously" the same as "constantly"?

While both indicate a high frequency, "almost continuously" implies minor interruptions, whereas "constantly" suggests no breaks at all. Therefore, "almost continuously" is less absolute than "constantly".

What's the difference between "almost continuously" and "frequently"?

"Almost continuously" suggests that an action occurs with very few breaks. On the other hand, "frequently" simply means that the action occurs often, without necessarily implying it is close to constant.