I almost start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I almost start" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a near action but lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I almost start to cry when I think about the situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After hours and hours editing this guy, I almost start to like him, and can maybe begin to see it through his eyes.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I almost started crying".

The New York Times - Sports

"I almost started crying driving here today.

Independent

I almost started wailing myself.

The New York Times

"I almost started crying," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I almost started laughing in the end.

The New York Times - Sports

I almost started directing traffic around it.

The Guardian - Books

I almost started crying; I felt really, really awful.

The New York Times - Sports

"I almost started to cry," Moonves said later.

The New Yorker

"I almost started crying when I saw the lidar images," Fisher said.

The New Yorker

"I almost started barking," Gilbert recalls, rising out of her chair.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action that almost begins, follow "almost" with a verb in the past tense (e.g., "I almost started") or use an alternative construction like "I was about to start".

Common error

Avoid using the base form of a verb directly after "almost" when describing an action that nearly occurred. For example, instead of saying "I almost start crying", use "I almost "almost started" crying" or "I almost began to cry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I almost start" functions as an attempted statement of intention or near-action, expressing that the speaker was close to initiating something. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, this construction deviates from standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I almost start" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct phrasing would be "I almost "almost started"" or "I almost begin". This analysis highlights the importance of using the correct tense after "almost" to accurately convey the intended meaning. While the phrase's intended purpose is to communicate a near-action, its non-standard construction undermines its effectiveness. Alternatives like "I nearly began" or "I was about to start" offer clearer and more grammatically sound options for expressing this concept. So, while understood, it's better to aim for grammatical accuracy to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost begin

Replaces "start" with "begin", providing a slightly more formal synonym, but retains the sense of nearly initiating an action.

I nearly start

Substitutes "almost" with "nearly", keeping the meaning of approaching the start of an action.

I nearly began

Uses both "nearly" and "began" to express an action that almost started in the past.

I practically start

Similar to "almost", but can imply a slightly greater degree of inclination or inevitability.

I am about to start

Indicates an imminent beginning, suggesting a higher likelihood of the action commencing than "almost start".

I am close to starting

Expresses proximity to the beginning of an action, focusing on the nearness.

I was close to beginning

Expresses proximity to the beginning of an action in the past, focusing on the nearness.

I was on the verge of starting

Emphasizes the closeness to starting, highlighting the potential for the action to have begun.

I contemplated starting

Shifts the focus to the act of considering starting, rather than the near-start itself.

I had a mind to start

Indicates an intention to start, suggesting a mental inclination towards the action.

FAQs

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

No, "I almost start" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "I almost "almost started"" or "I almost begin". The first one puts the emphasis on the action itself, while the second on the beginning of the action.

What's the difference between "I almost start" and "I almost started"?

"I almost start" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form, "I almost "almost started"", indicates that an action nearly began in the past.

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

You can use alternatives such as "I almost "almost began"", "I nearly "nearly started"", or "I was about to start depending on the context".

How can I use "I almost started" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "I almost "almost started"" to describe an action that you were very close to beginning but ultimately did not, for instance, "I almost started crying when I heard the news".