I almost told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I almost told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you were close to sharing something but ultimately did not. Example: "I almost told her my secret, but I decided to keep it to myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I almost told him I loved him.

The New York Times

"I almost told him right then," Greg said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then I almost told him about Peter Rizzo, but I didn't.

The New Yorker

I almost told him what was going on, right then and there, but something held me back: the same impulse that had halted my hand in front of the superintendent's door.

The New Yorker

Fail better, I almost told them, almost pointing toward one of the jets.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I can almost tell, when I read something, whether a poet has some other higher goal, or whether the person cares more about the words than about what they mean.

The New Yorker

I know him well enough, I can almost tell how he's going to play by looking at him.

Los Angeles Times

"I could almost tell them to rein it a little, but I won't," Sharon commented.

The New Yorker

"I can almost tell who is going to be more easygoing or quiet or adventuresome," Ms. Scalzo said.

The New York Times - Tech

On the day of the execution, I could almost tell if the condemned had already accepted that this was it for them or not.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm almost telling myself this like a chant -- trying to keep myself centered.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I almost told" to create suspense or indicate internal conflict in your narrative. It's effective when implying withheld information.

Common error

Avoid using "I almost told" in highly formal writing where a more direct or professional tone is expected. Alternatives like "I considered informing" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I almost told" functions as a narrative device to indicate a moment of near disclosure. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable. The phrase highlights the speaker's internal conflict or the suspense of withheld information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I almost told" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys a near miss in revealing information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples from reputable news sources. While relatively infrequent, its purpose is to create suspense or highlight internal conflict in narratives. Alternative phrases like "I nearly revealed" or "I came close to telling" can be used for nuanced expression. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in very formal contexts for maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I nearly revealed

This alternative emphasizes the nearness of the revelation, focusing on how close the speaker came to disclosing something.

I came close to telling

This phrase highlights the proximity to the act of telling, suggesting the speaker was on the verge of sharing information.

I was on the verge of telling

This alternative stresses the speaker's position right before the moment of disclosure, indicating a high likelihood of telling.

I very nearly disclosed

A more formal alternative emphasizing the act of making something known, with 'very nearly' highlighting the closeness.

I had half a mind to tell

This indicates a weaker inclination to tell, suggesting the speaker considered it but wasn't fully committed.

I contemplated telling

This option focuses on the act of considering whether to tell, emphasizing the thought process rather than the nearness of the act.

I was tempted to tell

Highlights the allure or desire to reveal the information, suggesting a struggle against not telling.

I almost let slip

Focuses on the accidental nature of almost revealing something, implying a lack of intention.

I thought about sharing

This alternative emphasizes the thought process, not necessarily the imminence of telling.

It crossed my mind to tell

This highlights the fleeting nature of the thought, suggesting a brief consideration of telling without strong intent.

FAQs

What does "I almost told" mean?

The phrase "I almost told" means that you were close to revealing something, but ultimately you didn't share it. It implies a near miss in disclosing information.

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

You can use alternatives like "I nearly revealed", "I came close to telling", or "I was on the verge of telling depending on the context.

Is "I almost told" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I almost told" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-adverb structure in English.

How to use "I almost told" in a sentence?

You can use "I almost told" to express a moment of near disclosure, such as "I almost told her my secret, but I stopped myself at the last minute."