almost never used

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost never used" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is rarely used or seen. Example: This feature of the software is almost never used.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

About 6%% never and 10%% almost never used the US-guided technique (Fig. 1).

Annals of Intensive Care

For almost every high allergy shrub or tree sold, there is an equally attractive and useful low-pollen or pollen-free alternative…yet these are almost never used.

University of California, Berkeley

The downstairs room is almost never used.

The New Yorker

Tubular pneumatic action is almost never used in modern times.

Britannica

In fact, it almost never used to be.

The Washington Post

"That's why it's almost never used in New York City".

The New York Times

Metallic birdshot is almost never used for riot control.

The Guardian

Radical psychosurgery of this type is almost never used now because of these undesirable effects.

Britannica

But the Court of Inquiry exists only in Texas, and is almost never used even there.

The New York Times

Metal cramps and dowels were introduced for joining stones together; mortar was almost never used.

Britannica

But, Ms. Doniger said, in the original those words are almost never used.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the rarity of an event or action, consider using "almost never used" to convey a sense of infrequent but potential occurrence. It's stronger than "rarely" but less absolute than "never".

Common error

Avoid using "almost never used" when "never used" is more accurate. If there are no instances of usage, "never" is more appropriate and avoids potential ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost never used" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something is utilized. It indicates a low frequency of use, as confirmed by the numerous examples found by Ludwig. It can be used to show how infrequently something occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost never used" is a versatile adverbial phrase indicating a very low frequency of use. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various domains. While synonyms like "rarely used" and "infrequently used" exist, "almost never used" provides a slightly stronger emphasis on the rarity. It is crucial to ensure that "almost never used" accurately reflects the situation, as using "never used" might be more appropriate if no instances of use exist. This phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, showcasing its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely used

Implies infrequent usage, similar to "almost never used" but with a slightly less emphatic tone.

infrequently used

Focuses on the lack of frequent use, maintaining a formal tone similar to the original phrase.

seldom used

A more formal and slightly archaic way of saying "almost never used".

hardly ever used

A more informal way to convey the same meaning, suitable for less formal contexts.

virtually unused

Highlights the near absence of usage, suggesting that something is close to not being used at all.

scarcely used

Similar to "rarely used", but emphasizes the limited opportunities for use.

practically never used

Conveys a sense of near non-existence in usage, similar in force to "almost never used".

not often used

A simple and direct way of expressing infrequent use, lacking the emphasis of the original.

uncommonly used

Highlights the unusual nature of something being used, implying rarity.

almost exclusively unused

Emphasizes that something is nearly entirely not in use, presenting a stronger degree of disuse.

FAQs

What does "almost never used" mean?

The phrase "almost never used" means something is very rarely used, but there might be a few instances where it is used. It indicates a high degree of infrequency without completely ruling out the possibility of use.

What are some alternatives to "almost never used"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely used", "infrequently used", or "seldom used" to convey a similar meaning.

How do I use "almost never used" in a sentence?

You can use "almost never used" to describe something that is not frequently utilized. For example: "This feature is "almost never used" by our customers".

Is "almost never used" the same as "never used"?

No, "almost never used" implies that there may be very rare instances of use, while "never used" indicates that there are absolutely no instances of use. The former suggests a low probability, while the latter suggests impossibility.