Here is a quick explanation of a common error I see in homework assignments.

We use ‘almost’ to stress that something is not identical to something else. The first is used to describe a near miss. Imagine you overslept and had to run to the station to catch your train. You break all the rules and run through the ticket gates and leap onto the train just as the door is closing. Phew! You made it! You would describe this situation by saying

‘I almost missed my train’.

The phrase ‘almost all’ or ‘almost every’ is used to mean ‘the majority’. For example,

‘Almost all pubs in England serve beer at room temperature’.

and

‘Almost all my Japanese friends go to see their family at Obon.’

Many people incorrectly use ‘almost’ to mean ‘the majority’. The funniest example of an incorrect sentence is ‘Almost Japanese people like rice’ – I’ve heard this, or versions of it, several times. See if you can figure out for yourself why it sounds funny in English.

The correct form is, of course, ‘Almost all Japanese people like rice.’

Here the distinction between ‘almost’ and ‘almost all’ one more time:

‘almost’ = something similar or close, but not identical.

‘almost all’ or ‘almost every’ = ‘the majority’.

Trying to explain rules and patterns of vocabulary can help you to remember them. If you would like to tell me why ‘Almost Japanese like rice’ sounds funny, please leave your explanation in a comment!