almost superfluous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost superfluous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly unnecessary or excessive in a given context. Example: "The additional details in the report were almost superfluous, as the main points were already clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But they're almost superfluous.

The New York Times

Dialogue and sound are almost superfluous.

The New York Times - Magazine

The accelerator is sensitive, making the brake almost superfluous.

The New York Times

Delicately marbled, ultra-tender, it made steak knives almost superfluous.

The New York Times

But sending up something as self-parodying as "Jersey Shore" seems almost superfluous.

The New York Times

Its success in managing vast oil resources has made the 'semi' of semi-autonomous almost superfluous.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

First, and most obvious, it renders the lifelong labors of Sigmund Freud almost entirely superfluous.

The New Yorker

After a performance so intense and draining, the notion of encores almost seemed superfluous.

The New York Times - Arts

"The Nightingale," Stravinsky's setting of the Hans Christian Andersen story, was sung in English, and although supertitles were used it is to the singers' credit that they were almost entirely superfluous.

The New York Times - Arts

Serbia has issued instructions, almost certainly superfluous, that its athletes are to boycott any medal ceremony if it also involves an athlete from Kosovo, whose independent status is newly recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

The Guardian - Opinion

To be honest, the kids almost felt superfluous at Diggerland.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost superfluous" to subtly indicate that something adds little value without being overly critical.

Common error

Avoid using "almost superfluous" too frequently in formal contexts as it can sound dismissive or condescending. Consider more neutral alternatives like "largely unnecessary" or "minimally required".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost superfluous" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is close to being unnecessary or redundant. This is based on the examples from Ludwig, where the phrase qualifies various subjects, such as "details", "music", and "lines".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Food

10%

Arts

7%

Less common in

Books

7%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost superfluous" is a versatile expression used to describe something that is nearly unnecessary or redundant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it's valuable for expressing nuanced judgments, remember to use it judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding dismissive. Alternatives like "nearly unnecessary" or "practically redundant" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly unnecessary

Focuses on the lack of necessity.

almost non-essential

Directly negates the essential nature of something.

practically redundant

Emphasizes the aspect of repetition or duplication.

near enough redundant

Indicates near redundancy.

virtually unneeded

Highlights the absence of a need.

barely essential

Underlines the marginal importance.

substantially inessential

Emphasizes the significant lack of essential quality.

close to excessive

Shifts the focus to the idea of being beyond what's required.

borderline dispensable

Suggests that something could easily be removed without consequence.

effectively gratuitous

Points out the lack of purpose or reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost superfluous" to describe something that is nearly unnecessary or excessive in a given context. For example, "The additional details in the report were "almost superfluous", as the main points were already clear".

What can I say instead of "almost superfluous"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly unnecessary", "practically redundant", or "virtually unneeded" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "almost superfluous"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something is not entirely necessary, but not completely useless either. It suggests a marginal level of contribution or relevance.

What's the difference between "almost superfluous" and "completely unnecessary"?

"Almost superfluous" implies that something has a slight degree of usefulness or relevance, whereas "completely unnecessary" means that something has no use or relevance at all.