almost every syllable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost every syllable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that nearly all parts of a spoken or written expression are being referenced or emphasized. Example: "She spoke so clearly that I understood almost every syllable of her presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Almost every syllable is difficult for her.

The New York Times

The mezzo-soprano Nancy Maultsby offered splendor on almost every syllable, presenting the words clearly and yet with consistent, liquid gilding.

The New York Times - Arts

The song hinges on one phrase, almost every syllable landing squarely on a quarter note: "Maybe I had said something that was wrong / Can I make it better with the lights turned on?" You'll hear "on" as "off " several times.

The New Yorker

LAX is an intense and remarkably focused record - almost every syllable concerns Compton, gangsta rap and (as one song title has it) Game's Pain - but the minor-key, would-be emotive beats of tracks such as Money or the Kanye West-produced Angel (featuring rapper Common) don't bring the best out of his expressive flow.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Dylan sings the same note on almost every single syllable, paying attention not to the tune but to the words.

Huffington Post

Nearly a month later, every syllable of the diagnosis is still electric.

The New York Times

Sometimes the orchestra almost hugs the vocal lines, giving lift and support to every syllable, which can be very expressive.

The New York Times - Arts

And when she talks about the Mobo Awards, excitement surfs across every syllable.

The Guardian - Sport

Every syllable.

The Guardian - Opinion

She pronounces every syllable.

The New Yorker

I mean, not every syllable".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost every syllable" to emphasize meticulous attention to pronunciation or detail in speech, particularly when precision is critical.

Common error

Avoid using "almost every syllable" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound overly formal or repetitive. Opt for broader descriptions of clarity or precision when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost every syllable" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the extent to which something applies to each syllable of a word or phrase. As Ludwig AI underlines, its function is to stress attention to detail in pronunciation or meticulous analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost every syllable" is a phrase used to underscore meticulous detail and emphasis on individual sounds within speech or written text. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and indicates a high degree of attention. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "nearly every syllable" or focusing on the clarity of "meticulous enunciation" can provide similar emphasis. Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid repetitive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly every syllable

Uses "nearly" instead of "almost", indicating a very slight difference in the degree of completeness.

virtually every syllable

Replaces "almost" with "virtually", suggesting that any exceptions are negligible.

practically every syllable

Substitutes "almost" with "practically", emphasizing the realistic or functional completeness.

every single syllable

Adds "single" to emphasize the exhaustive nature of the syllables being considered.

each and every syllable

Uses the more emphatic "each and every" to underscore the thoroughness.

almost every word

Shifts the focus from syllables to words, broadening the scope slightly.

nearly every word

Similar to "almost every word", with a slight difference in the intensifier.

close attention to detail

Changes the focus from syllable count to the act of paying attention itself.

meticulous enunciation

Focuses on the careful and precise way of speaking, rather than the individual components.

precise articulation

Highlights the clarity and accuracy of speech, moving away from the granular level of syllables.

FAQs

How can I use "almost every syllable" in a sentence?

You can use "almost every syllable" to describe speech or writing where attention is paid to each individual sound. For example, "The actor enunciated "almost every syllable", ensuring the audience understood the complex dialogue."

What phrases are similar to "almost every syllable"?

Alternatives include "nearly every syllable", "virtually every syllable", or focusing on overall clarity with terms like "meticulous enunciation".

Is it better to say "almost every syllable" or "every syllable"?

"Almost every syllable" implies a very high degree of attention to detail with slight room for exception, while "every syllable" suggests absolute and complete attention, which may not always be realistic. Choose the phrasing that most accurately reflects the situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "almost every syllable"?

Use "almost every syllable" when you want to emphasize the detailed pronunciation or enunciation in someone's speech, or the meticulous breakdown of words in analysis. For example, in describing an actor's performance or a linguistic analysis.