almost untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost untouched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been significantly altered or affected, often in the context of nature, places, or objects. Example: "The remote island remains almost untouched by modern civilization, preserving its natural beauty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Travel

Sports

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An amazing resource, almost untouched by Western scholars.

Columbia University

And the rice, which was usually left almost untouched.

The Economist

The publisher, Enlightenment, survived the education ministry's culling almost untouched.

The New York Times

In some of Hitchcock's pastorals, Palmer's manner appears almost untouched.

The Guardian - Arts

More than 30 years later, the site stands almost untouched.

The Guardian

But the Republicans for all their talk about rescinding Florio's taxes, left them almost untouched.

The New Yorker

There should exist in the world a place that is left almost untouched.

The New York Times

The Twitter activity of non-super-sharers would remain almost untouched.

The Washington Post

Its Old Town was almost untouched by war and remains perfectly preserved.

The Guardian - Travel

But isn't this the same stretch of Florida coast that was almost untouched by the spill?

The Guardian - Opinion

Today, they are mostly illiterate and almost untouched by Western life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost untouched" when you want to emphasize that something has been preserved in its original state, with minimal changes or impact from external forces. This phrase is particularly effective in describing natural environments, historical artifacts, or cultural traditions.

Common error

While "almost untouched" effectively conveys minimal alteration, avoid using it in situations where complete preservation or absolute purity is intended. Instead, opt for phrases like "completely untouched" or "perfectly preserved" to accurately reflect the desired meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "almost untouched" is to act as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by indicating that it has experienced minimal alteration or impact. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Sports

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost untouched" functions as an adjectival modifier, used to highlight the minimal alteration or impact on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage across diverse fields like news, academics, and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, consider replacing it with alternatives such as "nearly pristine" or "largely unaffected", particularly when a stronger emphasis is needed. By using this phrase judiciously, writers can effectively convey the desired degree of preservation or lack of significant change. Remember that the phrase is used to convey the idea of something in its original condition, with little impact from external changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly undisturbed

Emphasizes the lack of disruption or interference.

virtually pristine

Highlights the near-perfect condition and purity.

largely unaffected

Focuses on the minimal impact or influence experienced.

scarcely altered

Stresses the limited degree of modification.

relatively intact

Indicates that something remains whole and complete to a significant extent.

practically unspoiled

Highlights the preservation of natural beauty and integrity.

barely grazed

Implies only a slight or superficial contact or effect.

remained unblemished

Suggests a lack of imperfections or flaws.

essentially unchanged

Indicates that the fundamental nature or characteristics have not been modified.

virtually untainted

Emphasizes the absence of corruption or contamination.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost untouched" to describe something that has experienced very little change or impact. For example: "The island's ecosystem remains "almost untouched" by human activity."

What are some alternatives to "almost untouched"?

Alternatives include "nearly pristine", "largely unaffected", or "virtually unchanged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "almost untouched" or "completely untouched"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Almost untouched" implies minimal change, while "completely untouched" suggests no alteration whatsoever. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of preservation you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "almost untouched" and "relatively untouched"?

"Almost untouched" suggests a higher degree of preservation compared to "relatively untouched". The latter implies some changes have occurred, but they are less significant than might be expected. In contrast "almost untouched" indicates fewer alterations.