almost none

USAGE SUMMARY

'almost none' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is hardly present or has very little influence. For example, "She had almost none of the ingredients she needed to make the cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost none.

Columbia University

There's almost none".

The New Yorker

Now, almost none are.

The New York Times

On Iraq, almost none.

The Economist

Now, it's almost none.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, almost none.

The New York Times

Almost none, really.

The Guardian

Almost none are signed.

The New York Times - Arts

Kanton contributed almost none.

The New York Times

The answer is almost none.

University of California, Berkeley

Almost none had been approved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost none" to emphasize a near absence, especially when a complete absence might be expected or implied.

Common error

Avoid using "almost none" when a significant amount or number exists. "Few" or "some" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost none" functions as a determiner or quantifier, indicating a quantity that is very close to zero. It modifies a noun, implying a lack of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost none" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a near absence or very small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, further supported by its prevalence across diverse sources such as news media, academic journals, and literature. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring a genuinely minimal amount is being described to avoid overstatement. With variations like "virtually none" and "practically none" available, you can fine-tune your language to match the specific context and desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost no

A more direct and slightly less emphatic way of expressing the same idea.

Practically none

Emphasizes the minimal amount or near absence more strongly than "almost none".

Virtually none

Suggests the amount is so close to zero as to be effectively nonexistent.

Next to none

Implies an amount so small it's nearly impossible to detect.

Hardly any

Indicates a small quantity or degree, but with a sense of scarcity.

Scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", highlighting the rarity or infrequency.

Barely any

Emphasizes the minimal quantity or degree with a sense of difficulty.

Very few

Focuses on the limited number rather than complete absence.

Close to zero

More mathematical and precise, suggesting a value approaching zero.

Negligible amount

Highlights that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

How do you use "almost none" in a sentence?

Use "almost none" to indicate that very little or practically nothing of something exists or is present. For example, "Almost none of the pictures depict couples."

What are some alternatives to "almost none"?

Alternatives include phrases like "virtually none", "practically none", or "hardly any depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "almost none are"?

Yes, "almost none are" is grammatically correct when referring to a plural noun or pronoun. For example, "Almost none are signed."

What is the difference between "almost none" and "almost no one"?

"Almost none" refers to a quantity or amount, while "almost no one" refers to people. For instance, you might say "There was "almost none left"" (referring to food) versus "Almost no one came" (referring to people).