just about every

USAGE SUMMARY

"just about every" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to emphasize that almost all of something is included in a particular group. For example, you could say "Just about every student in the class passed the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So can just about every superhero movie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Gee whiz, just about every team".

The New Yorker

Innovation cuts across just about every function.

Harvard Business Review

In other words, just about every kid.

The Washington Post

NICHOLAS LEMANN: Just about every year.

The New Yorker

Just about every household has pills.

The Washington Post

"Just about every day," she answers.

The New York Times - Travel

I practice just about every day.

The New York Times

Just about every night looks solid.

The New York Times

"Just about every county has some drilling".

The Guardian

We agree on just about every issue".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about every" to emphasize a high degree of inclusivity, but avoid it in contexts where absolute precision is required. In such cases, use more exact quantifiers or qualifiers.

Common error

While "just about every" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less professional. Opt for alternatives like "almost every" or "nearly all" in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about every" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun applies to nearly all members of a group or instances of something. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in specifying the extent to which something is true or applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just about every" functions as a quantifier indicating near universality. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While it conveys a sense of broad inclusion, it's important to remember that it implies a slight degree of exclusion, making it distinct from "every". When aiming for precision in formal contexts, consider opting for alternatives such as "almost every" or "nearly all". Ultimately, understanding the subtle nuances of "just about every" ensures effective and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost every

Synonymous replacement with a slightly more formal tone and direct meaning.

nearly every

Indicates a quantity very close to complete inclusion, similar to "just about every".

virtually every

Implies that for all practical purposes, the statement applies to all instances.

practically every

Highlights that only very few exceptions exist.

in almost all cases

Shifts the focus to the frequency of an event or condition, suggesting high probability.

the vast majority of

Emphasizes that the largest portion is being considered, although not necessarily all.

almost without exception

Highlights the rarity of cases where something does not apply.

close to all

Directly quantifies the nearness to a complete set or count.

pretty much every

An informal alternative, similar in meaning but less precise.

the great bulk of

Focuses on the large size of a portion or group being referred to.

FAQs

How can I use "just about every" in a sentence?

The phrase "just about every" is used to indicate that nearly all members of a group or instances of something are included or affected. For example, "Just about every student passed the exam" means that almost all students passed.

What phrases are similar to "just about every"?

Alternatives include phrases like "almost every", "nearly every", or "virtually every", which all convey a similar meaning of near-universal inclusion.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "just about every"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "just about every" is grammatically correct and stylistically acceptable, especially in informal contexts. For example, "Just about every day, I go for a walk" is perfectly fine.

What is the difference between "just about every" and "every"?

"Just about every" implies a slight degree of exclusion, suggesting that not absolutely everything is included, whereas "every" suggests complete and total inclusion. Therefore, "just about every" provides a nuance of approximation that "every" lacks.