I just almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I just almost' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing that you almost did something, but just barely. Example sentence: "I just almost forgot to turn in the essay due today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I just almost killed one of the best actors of our time.' And I'm mortified," Tatum said.

Independent

I just almost never wear them because, like you, I find it pretty much physically impossible to do so and, for me, the beauty of the shoes does not outweigh the pain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it just almost was.

Yale University

If I know that I'm writing about Botswana, I then just almost go into a trance, which is a curious thing.

Huffington Post

It was a full-blown body-shaker, blubbering into the shoulder of a friend whom I had just almost killed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dudes, I seriously just almost got into a fight with a herd of bighorn sheep.

Huffington Post

I hear someone complain about ageing and I just feel almost violent, you know?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

GAZETTE: Is there one sailing trip you'd like to still take — any long-distance sail you'd like to do? BACOW: I just love almost any time on a sailboat.

Harvard University

Unfortunately, most of us in the middle class are saying: "Wow, I just paid almost 50 bucks for a tank of gas.

The New York Times

I just celebrated almost 40 years with the Vienna Philharmonic, which was kind enough to make me a member of the orchestra for life.

The New York Times - Arts

"Well, of course, I just owe almost everything to my own father.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I just almost" to express a situation where an action nearly occurred, highlighting the close proximity to the event without it actually happening.

Common error

While "I just almost" is acceptable, avoid using "just" excessively in your writing. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I just almost" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the degree to which an action was close to occurring but ultimately did not. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid construction in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I just almost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that an action or event nearly occurred. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Academia, highlights its versatility. While alternatives like "I nearly" or "I came close to" exist, "I just almost" effectively conveys a sense of near miss. Be mindful of overusing the word "just", but feel confident in employing this phrase to express close calls or narrowly avoided situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost

Removes "just", simplifying the phrase but retaining the core meaning.

I nearly

Omits "just" and "almost", focusing on the near completion of an action.

I came close to

Replaces "just almost" with a more descriptive phrase.

I practically

Emphasizes how close the action came to being completed.

I narrowly avoided

Emphasizes the act of avoiding something, rather than almost doing something.

I was on the verge of

Highlights being close to a particular state or action.

I all but

A more literary way of saying 'almost'.

I was about to

Indicates an imminent action that didn't occur.

I skirted

Implies narrowly avoiding something negative.

I teetered on the edge of

Illustrates being close to a specific, often precarious, situation.

FAQs

How can I use "I just almost" in a sentence?

You can use "I just almost" to indicate that something nearly happened, but didn't. For example, "I just almost missed my train this morning".

What's a good alternative to "I just almost"?

Alternatives include "I nearly", "I came close to", or "I was about to", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "I just almost" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that an action nearly happened. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

What's the difference between "I almost" and "I just almost"?

The addition of "just" in "I just almost" emphasizes the narrow margin by which the event was avoided. "I almost" is a more general statement while "I just almost" adds a sense of immediacy.