almost everywhere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “almost everywhere” mean?
In all but a negligible (typically zero-measure) set of points or locations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In all but a negligible (typically zero-measure) set of points or locations; true for virtually every instance.
In measure theory: except on a set of Lebesgue measure zero. In everyday language: in nearly all places or instances; so widely that exceptions are insignificant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences. Usage is identical in mathematical and general formal contexts.
Connotations
Equally technical and precise in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic writing due to larger volume of publications, but proportionally identical.
Grammar
How to Use “almost everywhere” in a Sentence
[Property/Verb] + almost everywhere + [in/on Domain]Almost everywhere + [clause]Be + almost everywhereVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “almost everywhere” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The service is available almost everywhere in the UK.
- The theorem states the limit exists almost everywhere.
American English
- You can find that brand almost everywhere in the US.
- The sequence converges almost everywhere on the interval.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in data analysis: 'The metric improved almost everywhere in the network.'
Academic
Common in mathematics (analysis, probability), physics, and formal logic. 'The function is differentiable almost everywhere.'
Everyday
Informal, hyperbolic: 'There are coffee shops almost everywhere in this city.'
Technical
Primary domain. Precise mathematical term meaning 'except on a set of measure zero.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “almost everywhere”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “almost everywhere”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “almost everywhere”
- Using it to mean 'in most places' (a majority) instead of 'all but a negligible set'.
- Writing 'almost every where' as separate words.
- Using in informal contexts where 'nearly everywhere' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Everywhere' means with no exceptions. 'Almost everywhere' allows for exceptions, provided they are insignificant within a specific framework (e.g., a set of points of zero length or zero probability).
Yes, but often hyperbolically (e.g., 'There's construction almost everywhere!'). For literal non-technical meaning, 'nearly everywhere' or 'just about everywhere' is more common.
It is commonly abbreviated as 'a.e.' (from the Latin 'almost everywhere' via 'almost every', sometimes 'p.p.' for the French 'presque partout').
They are analogous concepts from different fields. 'Almost everywhere' is used in measure theory (dealing with spaces). 'Almost surely' is used in probability theory (dealing with events) and means 'with probability one'.
In all but a negligible (typically zero-measure) set of points or locations.
Almost everywhere is usually formal/academic/technical in register.
Almost everywhere: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːl.məʊst ˈev.ri.weə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːl.moʊst ˈev.ri.wer/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(There's) almost everywhere you turn/look (informal extension)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a map almost completely painted one colour; the few tiny unpainted dots are the 'not everywhere' part.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLETENESS IS A SOLID SURFACE; EXCEPTIONS ARE HOLES (negligible holes in an otherwise solid surface).
Practice
Quiz
In a mathematical context, 'almost everywhere' means the property holds: