almost irresistible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost irresistible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very appealing or tempting, but not entirely so. Example: "The aroma of freshly baked cookies was almost irresistible, drawing everyone into the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It sounds almost irresistible.

MIT Technology Review

It's an almost irresistible vision.

The New York Times

Globalization's lure is almost irresistible.

Harvard Business Review

The urge is almost irresistible.

The New York Times - Books

Such extravagance has an almost irresistible appeal.

The New York Times

It seems to be an almost irresistible urge.

The Guardian - Sport

There is an almost irresistible temptation to reply: Duh!

The New York Times

Being a consultant, I have the almost irresistible desire to create frameworks.

Columbia University

London exerted an almost irresistible force as a literary and theatrical market.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the harried headline writer, certain tried-and-true devices can seem almost irresistible.

The New York Times

Desperate budget officials often see public pension funds as an almost irresistible pool of money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost irresistible" to convey a sense of strong temptation that is not absolute. It suggests a possibility of resistance, however slight. For example, "The offer was almost irresistible, but I had to consider the long-term consequences."

Common error

Avoid using "almost irresistible" when something is truly, completely irresistible. Using the phrase implies there's a possibility of resistance. If there isn't, opt for stronger terms like "irresistible" or "unavoidable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost irresistible" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, typically describing a noun. It modifies the noun by indicating a high degree of temptation or appeal, stopping just short of being completely impossible to resist. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost irresistible" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe something highly tempting but not entirely impossible to resist. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase with a neutral tone, suitable for various contexts ranging from news and media to academic writing. When using this phrase, consider its implications of strong but not absolute temptation, and choose alternatives like "nearly impossible to resist" or "hard to turn down" based on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly impossible to resist

Emphasizes the high degree of difficulty in resisting, closely mirroring the original phrase.

all but irresistible

Similar to the original, emphasizing a near-irresistible quality.

hard to turn down

Focuses on the difficulty in declining or rejecting something appealing.

close to irresistible

Indicates proximity to being completely irresistible, but not quite there.

highly tempting

Highlights the alluring nature of something, making it difficult to refuse.

very appealing

Stresses the attractiveness and desirability of something.

difficult to refuse

Indicates the challenge in rejecting or denying something attractive.

virtually impossible to decline

Focuses on the near impossibility of refusing something.

extremely enticing

Highlights the alluring and attractive nature of something.

powerfully attractive

Emphasizes the strong pull and allure of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost irresistible" to describe something highly tempting or appealing, but not entirely impossible to resist. For example: "The temptation to skip work and go to the beach was "almost irresistible"."

What are some alternatives to "almost irresistible"?

Alternatives include phrases like "nearly impossible to resist", "hard to turn down", or "highly tempting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "almost completely irresistible"?

While not strictly redundant, "almost completely irresistible" can sound a bit verbose. "Almost irresistible" already implies a very high degree of temptation. You could also consider using just "irresistible" if the context warrants it.

What's the difference between "almost irresistible" and "irresistible"?

"Almost irresistible" suggests a strong temptation with a slight possibility of resistance. "Irresistible", on the other hand, implies that something is impossible to resist, leaving no room for choice.