nearly instinctive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly instinctive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a behavior or reaction that is almost automatic or done without conscious thought, but not entirely so. Example: "Her response to the situation was nearly instinctive, as if she had been trained for it her whole life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's almost instinctive.

The New York Times - Health

Those moves, Abraham said, are now nearly as instinctive as the speed rush.

The New York Times - Sports

Arbus, in fact, nailed it when she described Winogrand as "an instinctive, nearly primitive ironist, so totally without malice, so unflinching, even cheerful..."..

The Guardian - Arts

Arbus, in fact, nailed it when she described Winogrand as "an instinctive, nearly primitive ironist, so totally without malice, so unflinching, even cheerful..."... His subjects tend to stare back at his camera sadly or in a slightly bewildered fashion.

The Guardian - Arts

It is not exaggerating to say that professional techniques are nearly always anti-instinctive and that every master once had his instincts broken in for disciplined service.

Harvard Business Review

The desire to be near is instinctive.

Huffington Post

It is also, if not instinctive, then nearly automatic.

Huffington Post

It's an instinctive preference, seemingly shared by nearly everyone I know, for the low emotional risk of communicating via words on a screen.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nothing about modern workforce management is instinctive.

Huffington Post

And nearly all paid a high personal, political or historical price for the instinctive and often ill-thought-out manner in which they responded.

The Guardian

Nearly all these diverse components are strongly nationalist in flavour, and share an instinctive repulsion against the Islamists' claims to spiritual guidance and moral superiority.Yet the diversity of civic Egypt has tended to make it weak.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly instinctive" when you want to convey that a reaction or behavior is almost automatic, but not quite. This implies a high degree of naturalness or habituation without being fully inherent.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly instinctive" when the action or feeling is clearly learned or consciously chosen. Overusing the phrase can dilute the impact of genuine instinctive behaviors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly instinctive" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "instinctive". It describes the degree to which a behavior or feeling resembles an instinct, indicating it's close to being innate but not entirely so. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly instinctive" is used to describe something that is close to being an instinct but not quite. As Ludwig AI explains, this adverb-adjective combination indicates a high degree of naturalness or habituation without being fully inherent. It is considered grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts. Although the frequency of "nearly instinctive" is rare, it's found in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. For alternatives, consider "almost automatic", "practically intuitive", or "close to second nature" to enhance clarity and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost automatic

Indicates a behavior that is very close to being automatic, lacking only a small degree of spontaneity.

virtually innate

Highlights the close resemblance to an inborn trait or characteristic.

practically intuitive

Emphasizes the ease and naturalness with which something is understood or done.

close to second nature

Suggests a habit or skill that has become deeply ingrained through practice or repetition.

borderline unconscious

Implies that the action is performed with minimal conscious thought or awareness.

just short of inherent

Highlights that the behavior or feeling almost part of someone's nature.

essentially ingrained

Focuses on the deeply embedded nature of the behavior or belief.

nearly second-hand

Implies a high level of familiarity of behavior.

almost reflexive

Highlights that the action that has a quick, involuntary response.

tantamount to natural

Indicates a very strong similarity to being natural or inborn.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly instinctive" to describe a reaction or behavior that is almost automatic or inherent, for example: "Her response to danger was "nearly instinctive", a testament to her training."

What is a good alternative to "nearly instinctive"?

Alternatives include "almost automatic", "practically intuitive", or "close to second nature", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "nearly instinctive" the same as "instinctive"?

No, "nearly instinctive" means that something is almost instinctive but not quite. "Instinctive" implies a fully inherent, automatic response, while "nearly instinctive" suggests a strong inclination or habituation without being fully inborn.

When is it appropriate to use "nearly instinctive" instead of "intuitive"?

"Nearly instinctive" suggests a behavior that is close to being an automatic response, whereas "intuitive" refers more to understanding or knowing something without conscious reasoning. Choose "nearly instinctive" when describing actions that feel close to being inherent.