almost immediate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost immediate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs very quickly, but not instantaneously. Example: "The response to the inquiry was almost immediate, arriving within minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The change was almost immediate.

The New York Times

The effect, as intended, was almost immediate.

The New York Times

There was an almost immediate payback.

The New Yorker

Results from the monospot are almost immediate.

The New York Times

The decline in standard was almost immediate.

The Guardian - Sport

Birmingham's almost immediate reply was controversial.

The Guardian - Sport

But their reaction was almost immediate.

The Guardian - Tech

The effect of the ruling was dramatic, and almost immediate.

The New Yorker

"At the same time, though, it has almost immediate familiarity.

The New York Times - Arts

The products were an almost immediate hit, earning millions.

The New York Times

The response was immense and the backlash almost immediate.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost immediate", ensure the context clarifies what is happening with minimal delay. For instance, "The change was "almost immediate" after the new policy was implemented."

Common error

Avoid using "almost immediate" when describing truly instantaneous events. It implies a slight delay, so opt for "immediate" if no delay exists. For example, say "The effect was immediate" instead of "almost immediate" if the effect occurred without any discernible lag.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost immediate" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing the speed or promptness of a noun. Ludwig examples show it modifying terms like "reply", "effect", "impact", and "response", indicating the quickness of these occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost immediate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival modifier that describes events or actions occurring very quickly, though not instantaneously. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using "almost immediate", ensure it accurately reflects a minimal delay, and consider synonyms like "nearly instantaneous" or "practically immediate" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost instantaneous

Direct synonym, focusing on speed and lack of delay.

Nearly instantaneous

Emphasizes the speed, suggesting a result that happens practically without any delay.

Practically immediate

Indicates the effect is so quick it's as good as happening right away.

Virtually instantaneous

Similar to 'nearly instantaneous', highlighting how close it is to being truly instant.

Close to immediate

Indicates that the timeframe is approaching being immediate.

Very rapid

Highlights the speed of the action or effect.

Prompt effect

Stresses the speed with which a result is achieved.

Quick response

Focuses on the promptness of a reaction or reply.

Swift action

Emphasizes the speed and decisiveness of an action.

Instant-like

Describes something that has qualities of being instant without being fully instantaneous.

FAQs

What does "almost immediate" mean?

"Almost immediate" means occurring very quickly or nearly instantaneously. It suggests that something happens with very little delay but not quite instantly.

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

You can use "almost immediate" to describe an event or response that occurs with minimal delay. For example: "The reaction was "almost immediate" after the announcement was made."

What are some alternatives to "almost immediate"?

Some alternatives include "nearly instantaneous", "practically immediate", or "virtually instantaneous".

Is there a difference between "almost immediate" and "immediate"?

"Immediate" means happening instantly, without any delay. "Almost immediate" implies there is a very slight delay, but the event still occurs extremely quickly. Use "immediate" when there is no discernible delay and "almost immediate" when there is a minimal delay.