nearly anyone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly anyone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement or situation applies to almost all people, with very few exceptions. Example: "With the new technology, nearly anyone can learn to code, regardless of their background."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nearly anyone.

The Guardian - Sport

Dance music has proved to be compatible with nearly anyone.

The New Yorker

Nearly anyone can score at nearly any time.

The New York Times - Sports

In his absence, the Magic advanced further than nearly anyone expected.

The New York Times - Sports

He has a body of work broader than nearly anyone identified as a jazz musician.

The New York Times - Arts

It invokes an artist-packed Paris where "nearly anyone might feel like a painter".

The New York Times - Books

They have done more than nearly anyone expected entering the postseason.

The New York Times - Sports

Smith, more than nearly anyone, has witnessed Howard's progression as a player and as a person.

The New York Times - Sports

For days afterward, I still complained to nearly anyone who would listen.

The New York Times

McCartney has been famous at an unimaginable level longer for than nearly anyone else alive.

The New Yorker

They refine what they call their "60-second commercial" — a way to pitch themselves to nearly anyone they meet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly anyone", ensure that the context allows for the slight possibility of exceptions. If exceptions are impossible, consider using "everyone" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly anyone" when "everyone" is more accurate. Overusing "nearly" can dilute the impact of your writing and make it seem less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly anyone" functions as a determiner modifying a noun, indicating a broad, almost universal applicability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As seen in the provided examples, it is used to describe situations where something applies to almost all people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly anyone" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate broad applicability with minor exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. It's commonly found in news and media, and science, functioning as a determiner to generalize statements while acknowledging potential exceptions. While similar to alternatives like "almost everyone", it subtly emphasizes individual possibility. When using "nearly anyone", ensure that the context accurately reflects the slight chance of exceptions and avoid overstating claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost everybody

Focuses more directly on people, suggesting a very high percentage of individuals are included.

practically everyone

Emphasizes that any exceptions are negligible or of little consequence.

virtually everyone

Highlights that any exceptions are theoretical rather than practical.

almost any person

Highlights the individual applicability, suggesting individual inclusion.

just about everyone

More informal, suggesting a slightly less comprehensive inclusion.

the vast majority of people

A more formal and descriptive alternative, focusing on the proportion of people.

most people

A simpler and more common way to express a similar concept, though potentially less emphatic.

a great many people

Highlights the number of people affected, more focused on quantity.

in effect, everyone

Implies a result where effectively all are included, but not necessarily explicitly.

for all intents and purposes, everyone

More formal, indicating inclusion for practical considerations, if not absolutely.

FAQs

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

Use "nearly anyone" to indicate that a statement is true for almost all people, with very few exceptions. For example, "Nearly anyone can learn basic computer skills with online tutorials".

What's the difference between "nearly anyone" and "almost everyone"?

"Nearly anyone" and "almost everyone" are very similar. "Nearly anyone" emphasizes the individual possibility, while "almost everyone" focuses on the collective group.

Is it better to use "nearly anyone" or "almost anyone"?

Both "nearly anyone" and "almost anyone" are correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. They are interchangeable in most contexts.

What are some alternatives to "nearly anyone"?

Alternatives include "practically everyone", "virtually everyone", or "just about everyone", depending on the context and desired level of formality.