almost only

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost only" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something is almost exclusively true or the case: For instance, "I almost only listen to classical music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were almost only four.

The New Yorker

Almost only dialogue.

The New Yorker

The scenes almost only emerged afterward.

The New Yorker

Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Harvard University

True, the party wins backing almost only in the east.

The Economist

Despite its agility and speed, it almost only chases rabbits.

The New York Times

While significantly widespread, they were almost only observed on the inlet steam flow side.

Engineering Failure Analysis

"In the beginning, it was almost only for Latinos and black women," Ms. Arias said.

The New York Times

"It has a simple, functional beauty that you almost only find in nature," noted Hvid.

The New York Times - Arts

This expectation is not realized as yet, because an ion-chamber almost only responds to its nearest fuel assemblies.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Open and disturbed soils are today almost only restricted to agricultural fields with high loads of fertilizers.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost only" to accurately convey that a situation or condition is true in nearly all instances, ensuring that the exceptions are minimal and do not significantly alter the overall meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "almost only" when there are significant exceptions or variations, as this can mislead the reader. If the exceptions are noteworthy, opt for phrases like "mostly" or "primarily" to provide a more accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost only" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree or extent to which something is true. It is used to indicate a near-exclusive condition, where something is true in almost all instances, with very few exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost only" is a valuable tool for expressing near-exclusivity in writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While synonyms like "practically only" or "virtually only" offer similar meanings, "almost only" provides a distinct nuance. It is frequently found in news, scientific and academic contexts. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring that the actual prevalence aligns with the implied near-exclusivity to maintain accuracy and clarity in your writing. Avoid overstating exclusivity and choose alternate phrasing such as "mostly" if appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically only

Emphasizes the limited scope from a practical standpoint, suggesting real-world conditions restrict something.

virtually only

Highlights that something is so close to being the only one that the difference is negligible.

nearly exclusively

Stresses the extent to which something is restricted to a particular case, event, or category.

almost exclusively

Highlights the very small number of exceptions to a rule or occurrence.

just about only

Suggests that something is negligibly different from being the sole instance or occurrence.

close to only

Emphasizes proximity to being the only option or possibility.

primarily

Focuses on the most important or dominant aspect, although not necessarily the only one.

mainly

Indicates that something is true to the greatest extent, even if other elements exist.

largely

Signifies that the principal portion or factor is one particular thing.

mostly

Indicates that something happens more frequently than anything else but other options are also present.

FAQs

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

Use "almost only" to indicate that something is true or happens in nearly all cases, with very few exceptions. For example, "The restaurant almost only serves seafood" means that seafood dishes are the primary offering.

What phrases are similar to "almost only"?

Similar phrases include "practically only", "virtually only", or "nearly exclusively". These alternatives highlight a condition that is true in almost every instance.

Is there a difference between "almost only" and "only"?

"Only" indicates exclusivity without exception, while "almost only" acknowledges that rare exceptions might exist. Using "only" implies a stricter limitation than using "almost only".

When is it more appropriate to use "mostly" instead of "almost only"?

If there are a notable amount of exceptions, "mostly" is more accurate. "Almost only" suggests very few exceptions, while "mostly" implies a larger proportion.