I nearly forgot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I nearly forgot" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express that you almost forgot something important. For example, "I nearly forgot, the meeting starts in 10 minutes".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I nearly forgot to mention lunch.

Independent

And, oh, I nearly forgot.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was so excited for what lay ahead, I nearly forgot to wave goodbye to my parents.

The New York Times

Personally, I was so invested in the bizarro Tony race on "Smash" that I nearly forgot about the real thing.

The New Yorker

For the next two days -- I ended up taking two excursions with the Goldhills, one full day and one half-day -- I nearly forgot about Carriacou.

The New York Times - Travel

There was a bit of informal awkwardness going from one bit of the service to the next – I nearly forgot the psalm, think of it!

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Most days, I nearly forget Anderson has Down syndrome.

Huffington Post

Charging it in the lounge, I nearly forget it, and scoop it up hastily.

Huffington Post

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Vice

He didn't want to waste that, either, and I was so absorbed in holding the carton still — and absorbed in Z., too, who stood close to me, our shoulders almost touching — that I had nearly forgotten about N. when I heard the click of his phone as it took a picture of us.

The New Yorker

I'd nearly forgotten what a prolific, voluble, and capricious e-mailer I was for most of my early twenties; seeing Laptop's home screen brought back an old feeling, and I found myself tempted to fire off a string of prolix missives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I nearly forgot" to introduce a point that you almost omitted but is still relevant to the current conversation or topic. It signals a slight oversight rather than complete ignorance.

Common error

Avoid using "I nearly forgot" too frequently in your writing, as it can make you sound disorganized or unprepared. Vary your sentence structure and use alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I nearly forgot" primarily functions as an interjectory phrase used to introduce an afterthought or a point that was almost overlooked. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I nearly forgot" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce an afterthought or something that was almost overlooked. Ludwig AI confirms it follows standard grammar rules. While versatile, its usage is most prominent in news and media contexts. When writing, aim for balance, and don't overuse it. Instead, vary your expressions by using alternative phrases like "I almost forgot" or "It almost slipped my mind" to avoid sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost forgot

Uses 'almost' instead of 'nearly', indicating a very slight difference in the degree of forgetfulness.

I had almost forgotten

Shifts to past perfect tense, emphasizing the potential for complete forgetfulness.

It almost slipped my mind

Emphasizes the action of something leaving one's memory rather than the state of forgetting.

It nearly slipped my mind

Similar to 'almost slipped my mind', but retains the 'nearly' phrasing.

I was about to forget

Focuses on the imminence of forgetting.

I came close to forgetting

Highlights the narrow escape from forgetting.

I momentarily forgot

Stresses the brevity of the memory lapse.

I blanked for a second

Implies a short period where memory was inaccessible.

I spaced out for a second

Informal; suggests a brief mental lapse leading to forgetfulness.

I clean forgot

British English; intensifies the act of forgetting.

FAQs

What does "I nearly forgot" mean?

It means you almost forgot something important, but then remembered it before it was too late.

What can I say instead of "I nearly forgot"?

You can use alternatives like "I almost forgot", "It almost slipped my mind", or "I was about to forget" depending on the context.

Is "I nearly forgot" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "I nearly forgot" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.

How formal is the phrase "I nearly forgot"?

The phrase is generally considered informal to neutral and can be used in most everyday conversations and writing.