almost entirely safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost entirely safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or object that is mostly, but not completely, free from danger or risk. Example: "The new software update is almost entirely safe, but users should still be cautious of potential bugs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

According to Ms. Levine's lawyers, using an intravenous drip is almost entirely safe as well.

The New York Times

(The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, which were separately funded through September, are almost entirely safe from this shutdown). Furloughed government scientists are banned from any form of work activity — they cannot so much as open an email.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Many companies, for example, transfer employment and other types of data from the EU to the US for human resources purposes, relying almost entirely on the old safe harbor procedures prior to Schrems.

Columbia University

It makes a street made up almost entirely of residential properties safer for walkers, bikers and even drivers thanks to the presence of not only the bike lanes, but to new turn lanes as well.

Los Angeles Times

One of her few remaining talking points in her campaign to avoid being impeached is that almost no Brazilian politician can feel entirely safe if Moro's investigation is permitted to play out indefinitely.

The New Yorker

With their more old-school approach, these older funds consisted almost entirely of Treasury, Agency and other safe bonds.

Forbes

The effects of enteric infections in Africa are almost entirely driven by poor access to safe water and sanitation.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The gang seemed to know their way around the boutique, called some of the staff by name and even knew the whereabouts of hidden safes as they almost entirely cleaned the place out.

The Guardian

But fracking is almost entirely unregulated, because of a 2005 statutory exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Economist

It's safe to say that our teens are almost entirely not on fire.

Vice

These cancers are almost entirely preventable by eliminating or reducing the relevant exposure, substituting safer materials for carcinogenic materials, or in some cases, adjusting industrial processes and ventilation or providing worker protection to avoid direct contact with the carcinogen.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, quantify the remaining risk when possible. For example, "almost entirely safe, with a less than 1% chance of complications".

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "almost entirely safe" if there are significant potential risks or uncertainties. Clearly communicate the remaining risks to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost entirely safe" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a high degree of safety with a slight reservation. This is consistent with Ludwig's confirmation that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost entirely safe" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that possesses a high degree of safety while acknowledging a small, residual risk. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, reflecting a neutral register suitable for conveying assurance with transparency. Related phrases include "nearly completely secure" and "virtually risk-free". When using "almost entirely safe", prioritize clarity and quantify any remaining risk to ensure responsible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly completely secure

Emphasizes the security aspect, indicating it is very close to being fully secure.

virtually risk-free

Highlights the absence of risk, suggesting only a negligible chance of harm.

almost without danger

Focuses on the lack of danger, implying a minimal level of potential harm.

practically harmless

Indicates that any potential harm is so minor as to be negligible.

largely protected

Stresses the protective measures in place, suggesting only a small vulnerability remains.

mostly secure

A more concise way of saying that the situation is secure in the majority of cases.

substantially safe

Indicates a significant degree of safety, though not absolute.

predominantly secure

Implies that security is the prevailing condition, with only minor exceptions.

close to perfectly safe

Highlights how near something is to being completely free from danger.

almost exclusively secure

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the security, implying that other factors are minimal.

FAQs

How can I use "almost entirely safe" in a sentence?

You can use "almost entirely safe" to describe something with a minimal risk factor. For example: "The new vaccine is "almost entirely safe", with only rare side effects reported."

What are some alternatives to saying "almost entirely safe"?

Alternatives include "nearly completely secure", "virtually risk-free", or "practically harmless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "entirely safe" or "almost entirely safe"?

It depends on the situation. "Entirely safe" implies no risk at all, which is rarely the case. "Almost entirely safe" acknowledges a minimal level of risk, making it a more accurate and transparent description in many contexts.

What does "almost entirely safe" mean?

It means that something is very safe, but there's still a small possibility of risk or danger. It doesn't guarantee complete safety, but indicates a high level of security or harmlessness.