almost never heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost never heard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is rarely or infrequently heard or mentioned. Example: "The ancient language is almost never heard in modern conversations, making it a fascinating subject for linguists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

As a kid, I almost never heard my parents scream.

The New York Times

"The word 'fashion' in video game design is something that's almost never heard.

The New York Times

Around the Mets, Saul Katz played the role of the little-known partner — occasionally seen, almost never heard from.

The New York Times - Sports

Not long ago, journals almost never heard from angry scientists in such disputes, Dr. Macrina said.

The New York Times - Science

But Jordan is rarely seen and almost never heard from in Charlotte.

The New York Times

Bush!" Elsewhere, guards offered an English word almost never heard in Iraq.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

You almost never hear Daniel.

The Guardian

We almost never hear their stories".

The New York Times

But in our time we almost never hear about these kinds of catastrophes.

The New Yorker

Chamberlain, who once engendered wild delight among the fan base, almost never hears cheers any more.

The New York Times - Sports

You almost never hear Romney staff members cast their candidate in such a manner.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost never heard" to emphasize the rarity of hearing something, especially when contrasting it with something more common. For example: "While pop music dominates the airwaves, classical sonatas are almost never heard."

Common error

Avoid using "almost never heard" when you simply mean something is not your preference. For example, instead of saying "I almost never heard that song on the radio," consider saying "I rarely hear that song on the radio" to better reflect the actual frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost never heard" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the frequency (or lack thereof) with which something is heard. It qualifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating that the action or state is exceedingly rare. The Ludwig examples confirm that this adverbial phrase is effective and readily understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Music

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost never heard" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the infrequency of audibility or mention. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier with a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. While alternatives like "rarely heard" or "seldom heard" exist, "almost never heard" provides a specific and effective way to convey a sense of extreme rarity. The Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely heard

Emphasizes the infrequency of hearing something.

seldom heard

Highlights the uncommon nature of hearing something.

infrequently heard

Focuses on the lack of frequency with which something is heard.

scarcely ever heard

Underscores the minimal occasions something is heard.

hardly ever heard

Stresses the difficulty in hearing something.

virtually never heard

Indicates that something is almost nonexistent in terms of audibility.

practically never heard

Implies that hearing something is highly improbable.

almost inaudible

Shifts the focus to the level of audibility, suggesting something is nearly impossible to hear.

rarely mentioned

Shifts the focus from hearing to mentioning, indicating infrequent discussion.

uncommonly voiced

Focuses on the unusual nature of something being expressed or spoken.

FAQs

How can I use "almost never heard" in a sentence?

You can use "almost never heard" to describe something that is rarely or infrequently heard. For example, "The term 'quixotic' is "almost never heard" in everyday conversations".

What can I say instead of "almost never heard"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely heard", "seldom heard", or "infrequently heard" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "almost never heard" or "hardly never heard"?

"Almost never heard" is grammatically correct. "Hardly never heard" is redundant, as "hardly" already implies a lack of frequency.

What's the difference between "almost never heard" and "rarely heard"?

"Almost never heard" suggests an extreme infrequency, close to never occurring, while "rarely heard" indicates something is uncommon but still occurs occasionally.