almost indispensable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost indispensable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very important or necessary, but not absolutely essential. Example: "In today's digital age, having a reliable internet connection is almost indispensable for remote work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It's become almost indispensable".

The New York Times

They are almost indispensable to some industries.

The New Yorker

The government has done the right thing by ordering the carriers, which are almost indispensable to support land operations overseas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Risk should be the almost indispensable challenge for the second novel, daring in that the author reaches beyond the first story into something uncharted and different.

The New York Times - Books

He estimated that he made 20 to 25 calls a day on it, and he acknowledged that it has become almost indispensable.

The New York Times

Within two years of meeting, Bray had become not just intimate with Beckett, but almost indispensable to him and of invaluable assistance to his work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Otherwise, the SH0165 genome encodes almost all indispensable enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids and cofactors.

Plosone

Tonight, UNICEF, for which we are ambassadors, will be the 13th player on the field (the twelfth player are the fans, almost as indispensable as the team itself).

Unicef

Cleavage of signal peptides is (almost) an indispensable co-translational event during protein export to the periplasm and/or ER lumen in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, respectively (reviewed in reference [ 112]).

Biotechnology journal

Partitioning the work of a philosopher with views about almost everything is indispensable in a retrospective, but in Reichenbach's case separation is especially artificial.

SEP

In particular, fabrication of vasculature in 3D tissue is one of the most important tasks in tissue engineering, because a vascular network is indispensable for almost every tissue in our body.

Biomaterials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost indispensable" to describe elements or tools that significantly enhance efficiency or success, but are not strictly mandatory. For example, "Good time management is almost indispensable for students".

Common error

Avoid using "almost indispensable" when "helpful" or "useful" is more accurate. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost indispensable" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun to indicate that it is close to being essential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a high degree of necessity without being absolutely required.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost indispensable" is a useful phrase to describe something that is highly valuable or necessary but not absolutely essential. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, from news and media to scientific research. While alternatives like "nearly essential" or "virtually necessary" exist, "almost indispensable" effectively conveys the significant importance of something without overstating its necessity. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding hyperbole to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly essential

Emphasizes the high degree of necessity without being fully essential.

close to essential

Indicates proximity to being absolutely essential.

virtually necessary

Highlights the practical need for something in almost all situations.

practically required

Stresses the strong expectation or requirement in a given context.

indispensable in most cases

Acknowledges the essential nature in a majority of situations but allows for exceptions.

highly valuable

Focuses on the worth and benefit derived from something.

tantamount to necessary

Suggests something is effectively equivalent to being necessary.

almost a must-have

Positions something as highly desirable and beneficial.

extremely useful

Highlights the utility and helpfulness of something.

approaching essentiality

Indicates a trend towards becoming fully essential.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost indispensable" to describe something that is very important or necessary, but not absolutely essential. For example, "In today's digital age, having a reliable internet connection is "almost indispensable" for remote work".

What can I say instead of "almost indispensable"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly essential", "virtually necessary", or "highly valuable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost indispensible"?

While "indispensable" is the correct spelling, "indispensible" is a common misspelling. Therefore, "almost indispensible" would also be a misspelling.

What's the difference between "almost indispensable" and "absolutely indispensable"?

"Almost indispensable" suggests something is very important and useful, but not 100% necessary. "Absolutely indispensable" indicates something is completely essential and cannot be done without.