almost since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost since" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been occurring for a substantial period of time up to the present. For example: "I've been feeling overwhelmed almost since the school year began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The man has been self-aware almost since birth.

The New York Times - Books

It has been breached almost since the first moment.

The Economist

His case has been problematic almost since he was captured.

The New Yorker

Germany had its best year almost since reunification in 1990.

The New York Times

Ms. Santillán had been suffering almost since birth.

The New York Times

"She's been dead almost since Olivia was born.

The New Yorker

Rineck has been in Berlin almost since the beginning.

The New York Times

There have been frustrations almost since he took office.

The New York Times

This has been Syria's story almost since the beginning.

The New York Times

True, Lucent's stock had fallen steadily almost since her arrival.

The New York Times

Almost since its inception, skateboarding has drawn ire from pedestrians and governments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost since" to accurately portray that an event or condition began very close to a specific time, but perhaps not exactly at that moment. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "almost since" when you mean "exactly since". If the event started precisely at a known time, "since" alone is more appropriate and accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost since" primarily functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something started or has been ongoing. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something occurring for a substantial period, but not precisely from a specific moment. It's used to approximate a starting point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Reference

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost since" is a common and correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something has been happening from a time close to a specific event or point. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and found across various credible sources. Its function is to approximate a starting point, providing context to the duration of an event or condition. While suitable for diverse contexts, it's essential to avoid using it when precision is required. For alternatives, consider phrases like "nearly from" or "just after" to tailor your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly from

Emphasizes approximation to a starting point, focusing on closeness to an origin rather than duration.

just after

Highlights the immediate succession following a specific event, implying a short time frame.

shortly following

Similar to "just after" but slightly more formal, indicating a brief period after an event.

close to when

Focuses on the temporal proximity to a specific moment, emphasizing closeness in time.

practically from

Stresses the practical equivalence to starting at a specific point, suggesting minimal difference.

virtually from

Indicates that something has been the case from a point that is, for all practical purposes, the same as another.

in the immediate aftermath of

Highlights the period directly following an event, often implying a consequence or reaction.

not long after

Implies a relatively brief period between two events, suggesting a connection or sequence.

subsequent to

A formal alternative indicating something that follows or comes after a specific time or event.

soon after

Suggests a prompt occurrence following a particular moment or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost since" to indicate that something has been true or ongoing from a point very close to a particular time or event. For instance, "The company has been growing "almost since" its inception".

What's a good substitute for "almost since"?

Alternatives to "almost since" include "nearly from", "just after", or "shortly following", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost since the beginning"?

Yes, it's correct. "Almost since the beginning" is commonly used to express that something has been true or happening from very early on, close to the starting point.

How does "almost since" differ from "since"?

"Since" indicates that something has been true from a precise point in time, while "almost since" suggests a starting point that is very close to, but not necessarily exactly at, that time. The phrase "almost since" adds a degree of approximation.