nearly everyone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly everyone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large group of individuals who share a common characteristic or quality. For example, "Nearly everyone in the class enjoyed the field trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nearly everyone went.

The New York Times

Well, nearly everyone.

The Economist

Nearly everyone does.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, nearly everyone has.

The New York Times

Nearly everyone else's fell.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nearly everyone slept poorly.

The New York Times

Nearly everyone carries an asterisk.

The New York Times - Sports

Nearly everyone else had muzzleloaders.

The New York Times

This ruling satisfied nearly everyone.

The Economist

Nearly everyone had chin hair.

The New Yorker

Now nearly everyone has it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly everyone", consider whether a more precise quantifier might be appropriate if the context demands it. Is it closer to 'most people' or 'virtually everyone'?

Common error

Avoid using "nearly everyone" when the statement only applies to a specific group within a larger population. For example, saying "Nearly everyone enjoys this product" when it's only popular among teenagers would be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly everyone" functions as a determiner or quantifier, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate that a large majority, but not absolutely all, of a group is included. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly everyone" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to convey that something applies to a large majority of individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is accurate, and it commonly serves as a determiner or quantifier. While interchangeable with phrases like "almost everybody" or "virtually everyone", writers should be mindful of overstating claims and consider more precise quantifiers when available. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase is acceptable in professional writing and conversational contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost everybody

Replaces "nearly" with "almost" and "everyone" with "everybody", maintaining a similar level of informality and inclusivity.

practically everyone

Substitutes "nearly" with "practically", suggesting a slightly stronger emphasis on the completeness of the group.

virtually everyone

Replaces "nearly" with "virtually", indicating that the exceptions are so few as to be negligible.

the vast majority

Shifts from focusing on individuals to emphasizing the large proportion of the group.

almost all people

Breaks down "everyone" into "all people", offering a slightly more formal and explicit phrasing.

most people

Simplifies the phrase by using "most" instead of "nearly everyone", implying a general trend rather than near-universality.

a large number of people

Replaces the more direct term with a more descriptive phrase, highlighting the quantity involved.

the great majority

Emphasizes the magnitude of the majority, conveying a sense of overwhelming prevalence.

by and large, everyone

Adds a qualifier to emphasize the overall trend, acknowledging potential exceptions.

for the most part, everyone

Similar to 'by and large', this phrase indicates that the statement is generally true, even if not universally.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly everyone" to describe a situation where the majority of people share a common experience or opinion. For example, "Nearly everyone agreed that the movie was excellent".

What phrases are similar to "nearly everyone"?

Alternatives to "nearly everyone" include phrases like "almost everybody", "practically everyone", or "virtually everyone".

Is it always accurate to use "nearly everyone"?

While "nearly everyone" suggests a high degree of agreement or participation, it's important to ensure accuracy. If a significant minority doesn't share the same view, it might be more accurate to use a phrase like "most people".

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

The phrases "nearly everyone" and "almost everyone" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. The subtle difference lies in the degree of emphasis, with "almost everyone" perhaps suggesting a slightly higher proportion than "nearly everyone".