nearly always

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly always" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when something is usually the case, but there are exceptions or moments when it is not true. For example: "Nurses nearly always work long shifts, but sometimes they are able to take off a day or two if they need to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, nearly always.

Independent

I nearly always got work.

The New Yorker

Yet nearly always it's benign".

The New York Times

Still, it's nearly always interesting.

The New York Times

They nearly always contain blood.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, it nearly always fails.

The New York Times

It nearly always has been.

The Economist

They nearly always fail.

The Guardian

They nearly always have.

The New York Times

It nearly always does.

The Guardian - Sport

are nearly always taller than residential bldgs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly always", consider briefly mentioning the context where the exception might occur to provide a more complete picture.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly always" when the statement is genuinely universal. Overusing qualifiers can weaken the impact of truly absolute statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly always" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action or state occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies a high frequency but acknowledges exceptions. It qualifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express a probability close to certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly always" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a high degree of probability or frequency, while acknowledging potential exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. As shown in the provided Ludwig examples, it appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by scientific publications. It is important to consider the subtle difference between "nearly always" and absolute terms like "always", as the former allows for greater accuracy and nuance in communication. When writing, avoid overusing "nearly always" in cases where a statement is genuinely universal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost invariably

This alternative adds a sense of formality and emphasizes the consistent occurrence.

almost without exception

This phrase emphasizes the rarity of exceptions to the general rule.

practically always

This alternative suggests a real-world, functional perspective on the consistency.

more often than not

This phrase introduces a sense of probability rather than strict consistency.

usually

A simpler, more direct synonym indicating typical occurrence.

generally speaking

This alternative sets a broader context, introducing a general trend or pattern.

in almost every case

This phrase emphasizes the high number of instances where the statement holds true.

as a rule

This alternative suggests the statement is a common rule or guideline.

ordinarily

Similar to 'usually' but can imply a sense of established order or procedure.

typically

This suggests that something happens in a manner that is representative of a type or category.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly always" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly always" to indicate that something is true in most cases, but not necessarily every single time. For example, "The train is "nearly always" on time, but there have been a few delays this month."

What are some alternatives to "nearly always"?

Some alternatives to "nearly always" include "almost invariably", "usually", and "more often than not". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "nearly always" and "always"?

Yes, "nearly always" implies that there are rare exceptions, while "always" suggests that something is true without any exceptions. Using "nearly always" acknowledges that deviations from the expected pattern are possible.

When is it appropriate to use "nearly always" instead of "usually"?

"Nearly always" is stronger than "usually" and suggests a higher degree of consistency. Use "nearly always" when you want to emphasize that something is true in almost every case, but not absolutely every time. Think about using "usually" when exceptions are more common.