practically every child

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically every child" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that almost all children are included in a statement or situation, with a slight emphasis on the near-totality of the group. Example: "Practically every child in the school participated in the annual science fair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Practically every child you see is armed with a net on a pole.

The Guardian - Travel

Since then, he seems to have forgotten the idea — even though he is spending enough every five weeks in Afghanistan to ensure that practically every child on our planet gets a primary education.

The New York Times

"Are you going to kindergarten?" he asks practically every child we come into contact with.

Huffington Post

Practically every child is followed up at regular intervals in these clinics.

BMC Pediatrics

The patterns observed in the serologic data as well as in the simulation results can be explained by the following mechanisms: (i) Practically every child over twelve years of age has been challenged with influenza during their lifetime [ 56].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I had my four children in my twenties and, having little money, I was infinitely drawn to the 'wealth' of the Italian diet - making pasta for my children practically every day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Today, 40 years later, this is still the Armory's lifeblood: to have children from practically every neighborhood and beyond loosening up together for their events, competing shoulder to shoulder, embracing one another at the finish.

The New York Times - Sports

She had been practically a child bride!

The New Yorker

But then MacGowan has been "touring and gigging" since he was practically a child.

Independent

Here is Sally Fields as practically a child in the "Flying Nun" and playing an old woman in Forest Gump.

The New York Times

Kim Clijsters was 17, practically a child, in November 2000 when she played her first and only tournament at Madison Square Garde.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "practically every child", ensure that your statement is accurate and that the exceptions are minimal. If exceptions are significant, consider using a less absolute term like "most children".

Common error

Avoid using "practically every child" if there are notable exceptions to your claim. Overstating the universality of a situation can weaken your argument and mislead your audience. Always verify your data and be precise in your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically every child" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that an action, condition, or characteristic applies to almost all members of the group 'child'. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a state that is true for nearly the entire population of children.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically every child" is a quantifier used to indicate that nearly all children are included in a statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While it's not as common as other similar phrases, such as "almost every child", it is grammatically sound and appears in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and formal publications. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the situation and that the exceptions are minimal to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all children

Replaces "practically every" with "almost all", focusing on the near-totality of the group.

nearly every child

Substitutes "practically" with "nearly", conveying a very similar meaning of close to complete inclusion.

virtually every child

Uses "virtually" instead of "practically", suggesting that for all practical purposes, all children are included.

the vast majority of children

Replaces the phrase with a more formal expression indicating a large majority.

almost without exception, children

Highlights the lack of exceptions among children, emphasizing the universality.

in almost every case, children

Focuses on the high frequency of occurrence among children.

the overwhelming number of children

Emphasizes the sheer quantity of children involved.

the great majority of children

Similar to "vast majority", but slightly less formal.

most children, with few exceptions

Highlights that while it applies to most children, there are only few exceptions.

by and large, children

This alternative indicates a general statement that is mostly true, but with some exceptions.

FAQs

What does "practically every child" mean?

The phrase "practically every child" means almost all children, suggesting that only a very small number of children are excluded from the statement being made.

What can I say instead of "practically every child"?

You can use alternatives like "almost all children", "nearly every child", or "the vast majority of children" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "practically every child" in formal writing?

Yes, "practically every child" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider alternatives like "almost all children" or "the vast majority of children" for a more formal tone.

How do I ensure my usage of "practically every child" is accurate?

Verify that the statement you're making is true for the overwhelming majority of children in the specific context you're discussing. If there are significant exceptions, using a more moderate phrase like "most children" might be more appropriate.