I nearly got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I nearly got" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you almost achieved or obtained something, but did not quite succeed. Example: "I nearly got the promotion, but they chose someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

I nearly got there in 1969.

The New York Times

"I nearly got fired because of that," he said.

The New York Times

I nearly got 70percentt of the vote".

The New York Times

I nearly got her in a half-nelson.

The Guardian

"Then when I finally found it I nearly got killed pulling in.

The New Yorker

But I nearly got a headache as she lucidly detailed its intricacies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

By 1987, I'd nearly got it right.

The Guardian

Too many times, I have nearly got the job but then a spurious reason for the vacancy no longer being available is given by the consultant, once the photos have been sent out".

The Guardian - Money

"I've nearly got shot three times.

Vice

I also nearly got kidnapped by Russian sailors. .

Vice

Battery life is rated at a solid 16 hours and I can say I've nearly gotten that much.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I nearly got" to express situations where an outcome was very close but ultimately did not happen. It adds a sense of suspense or near-miss to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "I nearly got" when the action was fully completed. "Nearly" implies that the action did not fully materialize. Use "I got" instead when the intended result was actually achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I nearly got" functions as a statement of close proximity to achieving a particular outcome. It conveys that the speaker was on the verge of attaining something but ultimately did not. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples confirm its primary use in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I nearly got" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey a near-miss or a close call. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase effectively communicates situations where an outcome was very close but ultimately not achieved. While adaptable to both formal and informal communication, users should be mindful not to employ it when the action was, in fact, completed. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost achieved

Replaces 'nearly' with 'almost', a direct synonym, slightly more formal.

I came close to getting

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the nearness of success.

I was on the verge of getting

Indicates being very close to the point of obtaining something.

I was within reach of getting

Emphasizes that the goal was attainable and nearby.

I was just about to get

Highlights the imminence of the event that almost occurred.

I narrowly obtained

Focuses on the small margin by which something was not achieved.

I practically got

Similar to 'almost', but can imply a stronger sense of near success.

I was a hair's breadth from getting

Uses an idiom to describe how close one was to achieving something.

I skirted with getting

Suggests barely avoiding not getting something.

I verged on getting

Implies a slight inclination toward getting something, without actually getting it.

FAQs

What does "I nearly got" mean?

It means you almost achieved or obtained something, but ultimately did not. It indicates a close call or a near miss.

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

You can use alternatives like "I almost achieved", "I came close to getting", or "I was on the verge of getting" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I nearly got"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that you almost achieved something but didn't quite succeed.

Can "I nearly got" be used in formal writing?

Yes, while it is more common in informal contexts, it is acceptable in formal writing where a sense of near-miss or close call needs to be conveyed. However, consider alternatives like I almost achieved for a more formal tone.