almost surely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost surely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical or statistical contexts to indicate that an event is very likely to occur, with a probability of 1, but not absolutely certain. Example: "In probability theory, we say that a sequence of random variables converges almost surely if the probability that it converges to a limit is equal to 1."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost surely not.

The New York Times

It was also almost surely untrue.

The New York Times

But the climate almost surely will be.

The New York Times

Almost surely someone said that.

The Guardian - Books

The algorithm converges to the global optimum almost surely.

Computers & Operations Research

Those will almost surely cause you injuries.

The Washington Post

That percentage is almost surely growing.

The New York Times - Health

The answer is almost surely yes.

The New York Times

You almost surely have a voice inside your head.

The New York Times

Reader, I almost surely make less money than you do.

The Economist

Iran's elites would almost surely say no to an ultimatum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost surely" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly defines the underlying probability space and the event being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "almost surely" when the outcome is not truly near certain; instead, opt for less definitive phrases like "likely" or "probably".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost surely" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a high degree of probability, especially in mathematical and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost surely" is a robust expression signifying a very high likelihood, commonly used in scientific and news contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, advising on its precision in specifying near-certainty without claiming absoluteness. Alternatives include "almost certainly" and "very likely", offering nuanced options for varying levels of formality. Use "almost surely" to convey strong probability, especially in technical discussions, while avoiding overuse in non-technical contexts to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost certainly

Emphasizes a very high degree of confidence, nearly guaranteed.

almost definitely

Similar to "almost certainly", implying a strong belief in the outcome.

very likely

A more general and less formal expression of high probability.

highly probable

A more formal and academic way to express high likelihood.

virtually certain

Implies that the chance of something not happening is negligible.

in all likelihood

Suggests that based on available evidence, something is expected to happen.

practically guaranteed

Highlights the near certainty of an event, often with a sense of reassurance.

with near certainty

Emphasizes that the outcome is extremely predictable.

as good as certain

An informal way of saying something is very likely to happen.

assuredly

A more formal and emphatic way to express confidence in an outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost surely" to indicate a very high probability of an event occurring, such as: "The algorithm converges to the global optimum "almost surely"."

What phrases can I use instead of "almost surely"?

Alternatives to "almost surely" include "almost certainly", "very likely", or "highly probable", depending on the level of formality required.

What's the difference between "almost surely" and "almost certainly"?

"Almost surely" is typically used in mathematical or statistical contexts to denote a probability of 1, while "almost certainly" is a more general term for a very high degree of confidence.

Is "almost surely" the same as "certainly"?

No, "almost surely" indicates a probability of 1, acknowledging a very small chance of a different outcome, while "certainly" implies absolute assurance with no possibility of variation.