almost unheard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost unheard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is rarely or infrequently heard, often in the context of music, opinions, or events. Example: "The artist's unique style is almost unheard in today's mainstream music scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That is almost unheard of.

The New York Times

That's almost unheard of.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's almost unheard of," Steele said.

The New York Times - Sports

The gain was huge, almost unheard of.

The New York Times - Health

Vegetables were almost unheard of".

The New York Times

Criminal prosecution is almost unheard of.

The New York Times

"That's almost unheard of," she said.

The New York Times

Such collecting was almost unheard of.

The New York Times - Arts

Philly's streak was almost unheard of".

The New York Times - Sports

"Lockouts were once so rare they were almost unheard of.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Almost unheard-of".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost unheard", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is rare or unprecedented. For example, "Such collaboration between departments is "almost unheard" in this company."

Common error

Avoid using "almost unheard" when describing something that is simply uncommon but not exceptionally rare. Using a phrase like "somewhat unusual" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost unheard" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or a situation as being extremely rare or exceptional. As seen in Ludwig, it is used to emphasize the infrequency or uniqueness of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost unheard" functions as an adjectival modifier to convey the extreme rarity or exceptional nature of something. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase's purpose is to emphasize a significant departure from the norm, with a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When using "almost unheard", ensure that the described event or situation is genuinely rare to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "extremely rare" or "virtually unknown" for subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely rare

Directly states the infrequency, focusing on the statistical improbability.

virtually unknown

Replaces "unheard" with "unknown", emphasizing a lack of familiarity rather than a lack of occurrence.

rarely encountered

Similar to "seldom encountered" but emphasizes infrequency.

seldom encountered

Focuses on the low probability of experiencing or finding something.

uncommonly observed

Emphasizes the atypical nature of the observation or occurrence.

practically nonexistent

Highlights the scarcity to the point of near absence.

infrequently found

Highlights the challenge or difficulty in locating or discovering something.

scarcely ever happens

Shifts the focus to the action or event being infrequent.

quite unusual

Highlights the deviation from the norm, emphasizing its atypical nature.

not often seen

Emphasizes the lack of visual confirmation or presence.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost unheard" to describe something that is very rare or uncommon. For example: "Criminal prosecution is "almost unheard" of" or "Such numbers are "almost unheard" of in modern football."

What phrases are similar to "almost unheard"?

Similar phrases include "virtually unknown", "extremely rare", or "uncommonly observed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "almost unheard", or are there situations where it's too strong?

It's important to consider the context. If something is merely uncommon, a phrase like "somewhat unusual" or "not very common" might be more accurate. Reserve "almost unheard" for truly exceptional rarities.

What's the difference between "almost unheard" and "unprecedented"?

"Almost unheard" implies extreme rarity, while "unprecedented" suggests something has never happened before. "Unprecedented" is a stronger term, indicating no prior instance, while "almost unheard" allows for the possibility of very rare occurrences.