nearly every instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly every instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs in almost all cases or situations being discussed. Example: "In nearly every instance, the results of the experiment confirmed our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

In nearly every instance in which gay marriage has been put up for a referendum, it has been defeated.

The New York Times

Mr. Ebewo's lawyer interrupted with objections more than two dozen times, but the arbitrator overruled him in nearly every instance.

The New York Times

"And in nearly every instance, its size was deemed proof that the Negro was less a man than a beast".

The New York Times - Books

Although my tickets have been cheap, my flights, in nearly every instance, have been reasonably on time.

The New York Times - Travel

In nearly every instance, when the men read from their own compositions, the writing was absorbing, learned and impeccable.

The New York Times

In counselling, Popenoe stressed the importance of sex, subscribing to the belief that nearly "every instance of marital disharmony" arises from "sexual maladjustment".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

At Enron, for instance, nearly every board vote was unanimous.

The New Yorker

(This summer, for instance, nearly every high-profile studio film has had a respectable début).

The New Yorker

Nearly every physician knows some instance where he/she or a colleague missed an important lab result.

Huffington Post

An astonishing program known as Somalget, for instance, reportedly records nearly every cell phone call in … the Bahamas.

The Guardian - Opinion

In nearly each instance, the court has narrowly ruled for the landowner.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly every instance", ensure that the context supports the claim that exceptions are rare. Avoid using it in situations where exceptions are significant or frequent, as it could mislead the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly every instance" when a more nuanced description is required. If there are notable exceptions or variations, use a more precise qualifier such as "in most cases" or "frequently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly every instance" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the extent to which a particular event or condition occurs. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is typically used to describe situations with very few exceptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly every instance" serves as an effective adverbial modifier, emphasizing the prevalence of a condition while recognizing possible exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science and Academia. To use it effectively, ensure the context supports the implied rarity of exceptions and avoid overstating your claim. Consider alternatives like "almost every case" or "in almost all cases" for subtle variations in emphasis. Avoid using "nearly every instance" if the exceptions are notable or frequent. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "nearly every instance" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost every case

Emphasizes the individual occurrences rather than the overall situation.

in almost every situation

Focuses on the context in which something occurs.

in almost all cases

Similar to the original but adds a slight emphasis on the 'cases' or situations considered.

almost without exception

Highlights the rarity of exceptions to the rule.

practically every situation

Focuses on the scenarios where something happens, suggesting only rare exceptions.

in the vast majority of instances

More formal, indicating a large but not necessarily complete prevalence.

close to every occurrence

Indicates proximity to a complete set of occurences, highlighting very few exceptions.

virtually every time

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, suggesting the event happens almost every time it could.

for the most part

Suggests a general trend or tendency, rather than an absolute rule.

more often than not

Indicates that something happens frequently, but leaves more room for exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly every instance" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly every instance" to emphasize a trend or pattern that holds true in almost all situations. For example, "In "nearly every instance", the experiment yielded the same result."

What are some alternatives to using "nearly every instance"?

Alternatives to "nearly every instance" include phrases like "almost every case", "in almost all cases", or "practically every situation", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "in almost every instance" or "nearly every instance"?

Both "nearly every instance" and "in almost every instance" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific flow of the sentence. However, ""nearly every instance"" is often considered more concise.

What does "nearly every instance" imply about the exceptions?

"Nearly every instance" implies that exceptions are rare and do not significantly alter the overall trend. If exceptions are notable, consider using a phrase like "in most cases" or "more often than not" to acknowledge their presence.