Very nearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Very nearly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost the case or very close to being true. Example: "I very nearly finished the project on time, but I ran out of hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Very nearly a pure breed.

The Guardian - Sport

Very nearly, but not quite.

Huffington Post

Which is very nearly true.

The New Yorker

The tears very nearly flowed.

Independent

And very nearly pointless".

The Guardian - Books

Or very nearly.

The Guardian - Film

It very nearly worked.

The Guardian

But there was, very nearly, another contender.

Independent

Apple very nearly did so itself.

The Economist

The reaction has been very nearly mute.

The Economist

They very nearly got their wish.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Very nearly" to add a touch of understatement or nuance when describing situations that almost occurred or are close to being true. It's more descriptive than 'almost'.

Common error

While "Very nearly" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language where possible to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Very nearly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which an action or state is true or complete. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or even entire clauses to convey a sense of approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Very nearly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial modifier to express approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English. Analysis of its usage across varied source types reveals the frequency of the phrase in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral to slightly formal register, it should be used judiciously in overly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "almost" or "practically" offer similar meanings, but the selection depends on the desired subtlety. The phrase’s role is to soften statements, showing possibilities or near accomplishments and can be used in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost

Indicates something is close to happening or being true, but not quite.

Nearly

A shorter, more direct synonym for "Very nearly".

Close to

Emphasizes the proximity to a certain state or outcome.

Practically

Suggests something is true in effect, if not in reality.

Just about

Indicates that something is on the verge of happening.

All but

Implies that everything except a small detail is complete or true.

Virtually

Similar to practically, but may suggest a hypothetical scenario.

In effect

Focuses on the result or consequence being similar to the intended one.

Tantamount to

Indicates equivalence in effect or value.

As good as

Suggests that something is equivalent to something else in terms of quality or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "Very nearly" in a sentence?

You can use "Very nearly" to describe something that almost happened or is almost true, such as, "I "very nearly missed" the train" or "The project is "very nearly complete"".

What are some alternatives to "Very nearly"?

Alternatives to "Very nearly" include "almost", "practically", and "nearly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "Very nearly" more formal than "Almost"?

While both are widely accepted, "Very nearly" can sometimes add a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the more common and straightforward "Almost".

What is the difference between "Very nearly" and "Close to"?

"Very nearly" emphasizes the almost-but-not-quite aspect, while "Close to" highlights proximity. For example, "I "very nearly succeeded"" suggests I tried and almost made it. "I was "close to succeeding"" focuses on how near I was to success.