almost exact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost exact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is almost the same, but not entirely similar. For example: “The two paintings were almost exact replicas of each other.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's almost exact".

The Guardian - Tech

Bulgakov and Williams were almost exact contemporaries.

The Guardian - Books

He was an almost exact contemporary of the pre-Raphaelites.

The Guardian - Arts

An almost exact contemporary of Blyton, Johns has suffered much the same fate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their taste was an almost exact cross between corned beef and kippered herring.

The New Yorker

This is an almost exact reversal of the figures in 2008.

The Guardian

In fact the pose is almost exact: all he needs is a slingshot.

The Guardian - Arts

It cuts to what appears an almost exact replica of James Foley's final moments.

Independent

But the same three players produced an almost exact repeat for one of the great World Cup goals.

The Guardian - Sport

He was an almost exact contemporary of Williams, and though they weren't friends, their worlds in New York often overlapped.

The Guardian - Books

In the end, the monument's new boundaries were an almost exact match for what the Utahns wanted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost exact" to convey a high degree of similarity or accuracy, acknowledging a minor difference exists. This nuanced approach adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "almost exact" when there's a significant difference or deviation. In such cases, opt for less definitive terms like "similar" or "comparable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost exact" functions primarily as a modifier, typically an adjective phrase, that qualifies a noun. It indicates a state of near-perfection or close approximation, stopping short of claiming absolute precision. Ludwig provides examples confirming its role in specifying the degree of similarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Books

5%

Less common in

Arts

3%

Opinion

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost exact" serves as an adjective phrase to describe something nearly identical but not entirely the same. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, denoting a high level of similarity while acknowledging slight differences. When writing, use "almost exact" to add precision to descriptions, but avoid overstating accuracy when differences are significant. Related phrases, like "nearly precise", offer similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly precise

Focuses on the closeness to a specific measurement or standard.

virtually identical

Emphasizes the similarity to the point of being indistinguishable in most practical situations.

practically the same

Highlights that the differences are so minor they are insignificant.

close to perfect

Suggests that something is of very high quality and accuracy.

almost identical

Similar to "virtually identical", but slightly less emphatic.

substantially similar

Indicates that the shared characteristics are more important than the differences.

remarkably alike

Emphasizes the surprising degree of similarity.

essentially equivalent

Stresses the functional interchangeability of the items.

roughly equivalent

Indicates a general similarity without strict precision.

near enough

An informal way of saying the difference is acceptable.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost exact" to describe something that closely resembles something else but isn't perfectly identical. For example, "The copy was an "almost exact" replica of the original painting."

What are some alternatives to "almost exact"?

Alternatives to "almost exact" include "nearly precise", "virtually identical", or "practically the same", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost exact duplicate"?

Yes, "almost exact duplicate" is grammatically correct, but it might be slightly redundant since "duplicate" already implies a high degree of similarity. Using just ""almost exact" replica" might be more concise.

What's the difference between "almost exact" and "exactly"?

"Almost exact" indicates a very close resemblance or approximation, while "exactly" implies perfect precision and no deviation.