almost nobody

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost nobody" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a small amount of people out of a group. For example: "Almost nobody in the office voted for the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Almost nobody has insurance.

The Economist

Until now, almost nobody.

The Economist

Almost nobody was satisfied.

The Economist

Almost nobody noticed.

The New York Times

Almost nobody, that is.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost nobody is.

The New York Times

Almost nobody is ever hit.

The New Yorker

But almost nobody left early.

The New York Times

Almost nobody is happy.

The New York Times

"You're almost nobody.

The New York Times

"Almost nobody came here".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost nobody" to express that very few people are involved or affected by something. It's stronger than "few" but less absolute than "nobody".

Common error

Avoid using "almost nobody" when you mean a significant minority. Ensure that the context truly reflects a near-absence, not just a smaller group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost nobody" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a quantity close to zero. Ludwig confirms this usage is correct and common in written English, denoting a small quantity out of a larger group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost nobody" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that very few people are involved or affected by a particular situation, softening the absolute nature of "nobody". Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for diverse writing contexts. While alternatives like "hardly anyone" and "very few people" exist, "almost nobody" provides a concise and effective way to express scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly anyone

Emphasizes the scarcity of people fitting a certain description or engaging in a specific action.

very few people

Highlights the small quantity of individuals involved or affected.

scarcely anyone

Stresses the rarity or infrequency of individuals.

practically nobody

Indicates a near absence or negligible number of people.

just about nobody

Suggests an insignificantly small group of people.

not many people

Focuses on the limited number of individuals present or participating.

a tiny minority

Points to a very small subset within a larger group.

next to nobody

Implies an almost complete absence of individuals.

a handful of people

Suggests a very small, easily countable number of individuals.

virtually nobody

Conveys a sense of near non-existence of individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "almost nobody" in a sentence?

You can use "almost nobody" to indicate that very few people are doing something or are affected by something. For example: "Almost nobody expected the sudden change in policy."

What's a good alternative to "almost nobody"?

Alternatives to "almost nobody" include phrases like "hardly anyone", "very few people", or "scarcely anyone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "almost nobody" or "hardly anybody"?

"Almost nobody" and "hardly anybody" are largely interchangeable. The best choice depends on personal preference and the specific rhythm of your sentence.

Can I use "almost nobody" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost nobody" is appropriate for most formal writing contexts. However, in extremely formal or academic writing, you might prefer a more precise phrase like "very few individuals" or "a negligible number of people".