practically without exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically without exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true in almost all cases, with very few exceptions. Example: "The new policy has been accepted by all employees, practically without exception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Everyone I know takes it, practically without exception," Dr. Nestle said.

The New York Times

Later in life, Bradman rated this the best innings of his career as, "practically without exception every ball went where it was intended to go".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The supporting players are exceptional without exception.

Huffington Post

If you look around, you find that practically every social convention is hypocrisy: atheists make a rigid religion of unbelief; the news media (and all experts, without exception) are masters of deceit; the gay rights movement and feminism cloak a fierce determination to suppress disagreement; the war on terrorism is no nobler than any of the other savageries celebrated in human history.

The New York Times - Arts

Without exception".

The New York Times

Obey rules without exception.

The New Yorker

Inexcusable, without exception.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without exception, all have failed.

The Guardian - Business

"Everyone is unhappy, without exception".

The New York Times

Almost without exception, they wore nice sweaters.

The New York Times

They are, without exception, bankers and industrialists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically without exception" to emphasize that something is almost universally true, but be mindful that it implies there might be a few rare deviations. Be sure that the context allows for this possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "practically without exception" when you actually mean "always" or "without exception". Overstating universality can weaken your argument if even one exception exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically without exception" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent or degree to which a statement is true. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it qualifies the universality of an action or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically without exception" is a grammatically correct phrase that signifies near-universality. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's relatively rare, mainly appearing in news and media and wiki sources. When writing, use it to stress that something is almost always true, but with a slight chance of exceptions, and be careful not to overstate its universality. Consider alternatives like "almost invariably" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost invariably

Replaces "practically without exception" with an adverb emphasizing consistent occurrence, implying very few deviations.

virtually always

Emphasizes a condition being true in almost every situation, replacing "practically" with "virtually".

with hardly any exceptions

This alternative highlights the scarcity of exceptions, maintaining the core meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

for the most part

Suggests that something is generally true, though not necessarily in every instance.

nearly every time

Focuses on the frequency of an event, indicating that it occurs in almost all instances.

almost without fail

Indicates that something happens reliably in almost every circumstance.

in almost all cases

Highlights the prevalence of a condition or event, replacing "practically without exception" with a more direct statement.

barring few exceptions

Implies that something is generally true, except for a small number of cases.

with minimal exceptions

Emphasizes that exceptions are very limited, maintaining a similar meaning.

on almost every occasion

This variant focuses on the high frequency of something happening, implying very few instances where it doesn't.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "practically without exception"?

Use "practically without exception" when you want to convey that something is true or applicable in almost all cases, but you acknowledge that there might be a few rare exceptions. It is useful for conveying a high degree of generality without claiming absolute universality.

What are some alternatives to saying "practically without exception"?

Alternatives to "practically without exception" include "almost invariably", "virtually always", or "with hardly any exceptions" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "practically without exception" the same as "without exception"?

No, "practically without exception" implies that there are very few exceptions, whereas "without exception" suggests that there are no exceptions whatsoever. The former allows for the possibility of rare deviations, while the latter does not.

How can I use "practically without exception" in a sentence?

You can use "practically without exception" to modify a statement, emphasizing its near-universal truth. For example, "The new guidelines were followed by all employees, practically without exception." It means the guidelines are followed in almost all cases.