almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'almost' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is very close to being a certain state or condition, but not quite there. For example: "I almost finished the report, but there are still a few details I need to take care of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost, but not quite.

The New York Times

It is Alice in Wonderland territory, Orwellian almost, for any government of any political persuasion to seek to come along and try to rewrite the lexicon.

The New York Times

Security alerts involving improvised explosive devices have become almost a weekly occurence in Derry during the past few months as dissident republicans step up their armed actions in the city.

The Guardian

The legal argument focused on the challenge to core of the legislation – its requirement that almost all Americans buy health insurance.

The Guardian

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

"I know, there's been so many awards ceremonies you almost get inured to them," he said.

The Guardian - Film

"I have also heard that others are expecting the exact opposite and are hoping that I will deliver the clear and simple message here in London that the rest of Europe is not prepared to pay almost any price to keep Britain in the EU.

The Guardian

In this slump, it is down almost 7 percent, and still has not really begun to recover.

The New York Times

Well, almost everyone.

The New York Times

So far, even though the site has received more than a hundred legal threats, almost no one has filed suit.

The Economist

The rise of fast fashion means that clothing stores get new products almost every week.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost" to indicate a near miss or a close approximation, but ensure the context clarifies what was not fully achieved. For example, "I almost missed the train" is clearer if you specify what action you took to avoid missing it.

Common error

Avoid using "almost" with absolute terms like "always" or "never". Saying "I almost always do this" can be confusing; consider alternatives like "I usually do this" or "I frequently do this" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "almost" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is close to being the case. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where "almost" qualifies actions or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost" functions as an adverb indicating that something is close to a particular state or condition. As highlighted by Ludwig, its grammatical function is primarily to modify verbs and adjectives, expressing approximation or near completion. The term is used across various contexts, mainly in News & Media, maintaining a neutral register. While simple, correctly employing "almost" enhances clarity by accurately portraying the degree to which an action or state is fulfilled. Remember to use it with caution near absolute terms like always and never, as suggested above. The analysis confirms "almost" is a versatile and valid term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly

Indicates a degree of closeness, often interchangeable with "almost" but can sometimes imply a slightly lesser degree of completion.

practically

Emphasizes the effect or consequence being very close to reality, even if not literally true.

virtually

Highlights the result being so close that for all practical purposes, it is the same as the actual result.

just about

Suggests that something is very close to happening or being completed.

close to

Specifies proximity to a particular state, quantity, or condition.

approaching

Implies movement toward a state or condition, highlighting the dynamic aspect of becoming close.

in effect

Indicates that something is true in its practical consequences, even if not in strict terms.

for all intents and purposes

Highlights the functional equivalence to a certain state, even if technical differences exist.

pretty much

Indicates a high degree of similarity or completion, often used in informal contexts.

nearing

Highlights the ongoing process of getting closer to a specific state or condition.

FAQs

How do I use "almost" correctly in a sentence?

"Almost" should be placed before the verb or adjective it modifies to indicate that something is close to being achieved or true but not entirely. For example, "I "almost finished" the report" or "The task is "almost complete"".

What can I say instead of "almost"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly", "practically", or "virtually" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "almost all"?

Yes, "almost all" is a common and acceptable construction to indicate that a very large majority of something is true or present. For instance, "Almost all students passed the exam".

What's the difference between "almost" and "nearly"?

While "almost" and "nearly" are often interchangeable, "almost" can sometimes imply a slightly greater degree of approximation or a more emotional near miss. "Nearly" is generally more neutral.