just about all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that nearly everything or everyone is included, but not quite all. Example: "Just about all the students passed the exam, with only a few needing to retake it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's just about all they do.

The New York Times

Just about all of the acting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Just about all of us have something to overcome.

The New Yorker

The trouble is, just about all of it is poisoned.

The New Yorker

Just about all are also published in physical form.

The New York Times

"I would say just about all of them".

The New York Times

In just about all known cases, these are territorial.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Eckert attended just about all of the sessions.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, that's just about all they have going for them.

The Guardian - Opinion

So he eats just about all his meals out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Like just about all of these books, I digress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about all" to indicate a quantity that is very close to the total, but with the understanding that there might be a few exceptions. This phrase softens the statement compared to saying "all". For example: "Just about all the tickets were sold."

Common error

Avoid using "just about all" when you actually mean "all." If there are no exceptions, using "all" is more accurate and direct. For instance, instead of saying "Just about all students passed," if every student passed, say "All students passed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about all" functions as a quantifier, modifying nouns or pronouns to indicate a quantity that is very close to the total amount or number. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used to express near-totality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Just about all" is a versatile and commonly used quantifier phrase that indicates a quantity very close to the total, suitable for various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct. It is most frequently used in news and media, and wiki sources. When using "just about all", remember to use it when you want to convey near-totality with the knowledge that there may be exceptions. For situations that require higher level of formality consider "almost all" or "nearly all".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all

Indicates a quantity very close to all, with a slightly more formal tone.

nearly all

Similar to 'almost all', suggesting a small exception to the entirety.

virtually all

Emphasizes that any exceptions are insignificant or negligible.

practically all

Suggests that for all practical purposes, everything is included.

in effect all

Highlights that the result or consequence is as if everything were included.

for the most part

Indicates that the statement is generally true, with possible minor exceptions.

largely all

Suggests that the majority is included, but there might be notable exclusions.

pretty much all

An informal alternative to 'almost all', indicating a high degree of inclusion.

close to all

Implies a quantity nearing the total, but not necessarily encompassing it.

approaching all

Suggests that the quantity is moving towards the total, without necessarily reaching it.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "just about all"?

Use "just about all" when you want to convey that nearly everything or everyone is included, but not quite all. It implies a very small number of exceptions. For instance, "Just about all the guests arrived on time" suggests that only a few were late.

What are some alternatives to "just about all"?

Alternatives include "almost all", "nearly all", or "virtually all". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "just about all" more formal or informal?

"Just about all" is generally considered to be relatively informal. In more formal contexts, "almost all" or "nearly all" might be preferred.

Can "just about all" be used with both countable and uncountable nouns?

Yes, "just about all" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. For example, "Just about all the students" (countable) and "Just about all the water" (uncountable) are both grammatically correct.