nearly all of

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly all of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific group of items, subjects, or people; to mean a quantity that is very close to the whole. For example: "Nearly all of the students in the class attended the field trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he recorded nearly all of them.

The New Yorker

Nearly all of Nagaland is mountainous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They record nearly all of their concerts.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr Rawles remembers nearly all of them.

The Economist

Nearly all of us were Mexicans once.

The New York Times

Women use nearly all of it.

The New York Times

Nearly all of it originated in China.

The Economist

Nearly all of them needed urgent care.

The New York Times - Sports

Chile imports nearly all of its oil.

The Economist

Nearly all of the jurors have children.

The New York Times

Nearly all of them are still displaced.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly all of" to convey that a quantity is slightly less than the complete whole but still represents a very high proportion. Be precise; avoid using it when a more specific number or percentage is available.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly all of" when the actual proportion is significantly less. If only a bare majority is present, consider using phrases like "most" or "the majority of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly all of" functions as a quantifier, specifying that a very large portion, but not the entirety, of a particular group or set is being referred to. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various subjects and sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly all of" is a versatile and grammatically correct quantifier used to indicate that a quantity is just shy of being complete. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, especially in news, scientific writing, and encyclopedic content. While alternatives like "almost all of" and "virtually all of" exist, "nearly all of" provides a clear and consistent way to express near-totality. Remember to avoid overstating the proportion and use more precise language if available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all of

Indicates a slightly less complete quantity than "nearly all of", but still very close to the total.

close to all of

Directly indicates the quantity is not exactly all, but very near to it.

virtually all of

Emphasizes that for all practical purposes, the quantity is complete, even if not technically 100%.

practically all of

Similar to "virtually all of", suggesting the quantity is so close to complete that the difference is negligible.

the vast majority of

Shifts the focus to the majority being very large, implying a high proportion.

a large proportion of

Highlights the size of the proportion rather than its closeness to being complete.

a substantial part of

Emphasizes the significance of the portion, implying it's more than just a simple majority.

the great bulk of

Highlights the quantity's large size and impact.

in most cases

Focuses on the prevalence of a certain situation rather than a proportion of something.

for the most part

Similar to "in most cases", indicating a general trend or common occurrence.

FAQs

How do I use "nearly all of" in a sentence?

Use "nearly all of" before a noun or pronoun to indicate that almost everything within that group is being referred to. For example, "Nearly all of the students passed the exam."

What's the difference between "nearly all of" and "almost all of"?

While very similar, "nearly all of" and "almost all of" are interchangeable. "Nearly" can sometimes imply a slightly closer proximity to "all" than "almost", though the distinction is subtle.

What can I say instead of "nearly all of"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually all of", "practically all of", or "the vast majority of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "nearly all of the"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "Nearly all of the" is followed by a noun or pronoun, specifying the group you are referring to.