I nearly lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I nearly lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where you came close to losing something, whether it be a physical object, a game, or an opportunity. Example: "During the final moments of the game, I nearly lost my chance to score the winning goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I nearly lost my legs, darling.

The Guardian

I think I nearly lost consciousness.

The New York Times

I nearly lost it; I was welling up.

The Guardian - Music

I nearly lost my house, my wife, my children.

The Guardian

"I nearly lost that in the last round," said Edwards.

The Guardian - Sport

It was amazing, but it was so far from home that I nearly lost my job.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

A typical chapter heading: "The escape, I nearly lose my Life on the Roof; I get out of the Ducal Palace, take a Boat, and reach the Mainland; Danger to which I am exposed by Father Balbi; My Scheme for ridding Myself of Him".

The New York Times - Travel

I had to remain calm and strong for my precious small girl whom I very nearly lost, and my amazing brave boy who did a perfectly amazing brave thing.

Huffington Post

I very nearly lost my money when she was nominated and only narrowly lost out.

The Guardian - Film

"I've nearly lost him several times but that's the original," she says, stroking him gently.

BBC

I very nearly lost my body altogether.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I nearly lost", ensure the context clearly indicates what was almost lost. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "I nearly lost" when something was actually lost. This phrase indicates a close call, not an actual occurrence of loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I nearly lost" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past event where a loss was imminent but ultimately avoided. It's used to convey a sense of relief or highlight a close call, as illustrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I nearly lost" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation where a loss was narrowly avoided. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. Consider using alternatives like "I almost lost" or "I came close to losing" for nuanced variations. When writing, ensure the context is clear about what was almost lost and avoid using the phrase if the loss actually occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost lost

This is a direct synonym, replacing 'nearly' with 'almost' for very similar meaning.

I just about lost

Similar to 'I almost lost', with a slightly more informal tone.

I came close to losing

This phrase emphasizes the proximity to losing something.

I practically lost

Indicates that the loss was very close to happening.

I was close to losing

This phrase indicates a high probability of losing.

I was on the verge of losing

This suggests being at the very edge of losing.

I narrowly avoided losing

This highlights the successful avoidance of loss, implying difficulty.

I skirted losing

Implies a close brush with loss, almost dodging it.

I was within an inch of losing

This phrase emphasizes how close the loss was.

I damn near lost

An informal and emphatic way to say 'I almost lost'.

FAQs

What does "I nearly lost" mean?

The phrase "I nearly lost" indicates that you came very close to losing something, but ultimately did not. It implies a situation where loss was a strong possibility.

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

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "I nearly lost"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English syntax and is widely used in both spoken and written language.

What is the difference between "I nearly lost" and "I lost"?

"I nearly lost" indicates a close call, meaning you came close to losing something but ultimately did not. In contrast, "I lost" means that you did, in fact, lose something.