I almost called

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "I almost called" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when you were about to do something but stopped short. For example: "I almost called my friend to make plans but then remembered he was away on holiday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I almost called in sick".

The New York Times - Sports

I almost called it The A40".

The Guardian - Books

"I almost called the police because I thought someone was being abused".

The New York Times

"Once I almost called one of them by the other's name".

The New York Times

"I almost called timeout to tell them to throw the ball out of the game," Cameron said jokingly.

The New York Times - Sports

"I didn't allow enough time and I almost called to say I couldn't make it!" It's just as well she got there.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

27 mins: "Is Robert Page the son of an unholy intra-Led Zep dalliance?" asks Rolf from Sweden, which is quite funny, because the number of times I've almost called him Robert Plant tonight beggars belief.

The Guardian - Sport

"The only thing I had that I could almost call stable was the Tony Clifton gig.

Vice

"What I sometimes see in dying, I would almost call it some primordial strength that shows itself in people who are dying.

BMC Family Practice

"L.A. has — I would almost call it anti-style," Susan Lyne, the chairman of the Gilt Groupe, who was wearing a burgundy Dior dress, said.

The New Yorker

"L.A. has—I would almost call it anti-style," Susan Lyne, the chairman of the Gilt Groupe, who was wearing a burgundy Dior dress, said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I almost called" to clearly indicate an action you were on the brink of performing but ultimately did not. This can add nuance and detail to your narratives, showing intention without commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "I almost called" when you actually made the call. This phrase specifically indicates that the call did not occur. If the call was made, use a phrase like "I ended up calling".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I almost called" functions as a declarative statement expressing an intention that was not fully realized. It indicates a near action, providing context about a decision or event that nearly occurred, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I almost called" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that you were on the verge of making a phone call but ultimately did not. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to convey hesitation, near action, or a change of mind. While appropriate in various contexts, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring that the call indeed did not occur. Alternatives such as "I nearly called" or "I was about to call" can offer subtle differences in meaning. In short, "I almost called" is a versatile phrase, but mindful usage ensures clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I nearly called

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining the same meaning with a slight variation in word choice.

I was about to call

Emphasizes the imminence of the action, suggesting the call was very close to happening.

I was on the verge of calling

Emphasizes how close the action was to occurring, highlighting the near completion.

I considered calling

Similar to "contemplated", but with a slightly lesser degree of deliberation.

I contemplated calling

Highlights the thought process behind the action, indicating consideration but not necessarily immediate intent.

I was tempted to call

Highlights the allure or appeal of calling, suggesting a desire to do so.

I had it in mind to call

Indicates a plan or intention to call, but not necessarily an immediate action.

Calling was on my mind

Indicates that the act of calling was something being actively thought about.

I felt like calling

Indicates a feeling or impulse to call, which may or may not have been acted upon.

I had half a mind to call

Suggests a weaker intention or a fleeting thought of calling.

FAQs

What does "I almost called" mean?

The phrase "I almost called" means that you were very close to making a phone call, but for some reason, you decided not to or were prevented from doing so.

What can I say instead of "I almost called"?

You can use alternatives like "I nearly called", "I was about to call", or "I considered calling" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I almost called"?

Yes, "I almost called" is grammatically correct. The word "almost" is an adverb modifying the verb "called", indicating that the action of calling nearly happened.

How do I use "I almost called" in a sentence?

Use "I almost called" to describe a situation where you were on the verge of making a phone call but ultimately didn't. For example, "I almost called to cancel the meeting, but I decided to go anyway".