almost a disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost a disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that nearly resulted in a disastrous outcome but was ultimately avoided. Example: "The event was poorly planned, and without the quick thinking of the organizers, it could have turned into almost a disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This was almost a disaster.

Independent

"Almost a disaster at 14".

The New York Times - Sports

Infamous was almost a disaster, though.

The Guardian - Film

"We started making MTMTMK in the summer of 2010 and it was almost a disaster," says Karlberg.

The Guardian - Music

There was almost a disaster when air pressure on the plane forced open the jar carrying the starter – a fermented mixture of water and wild yeast that is used to help the bread rise.

The Guardian

Now, with billions of dollars and thousands of scientific careers at stake in the CERN project, Dr. Franklin said, "if it fails, it's almost a disaster for an entire field".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He notes that some of the factors that led to the world not ending in 1962 (asymmetrical interests that made the Soviets willing to keep a secret for Kennedy) are absent now, and ones that almost brought about a disaster (knowing less than one thinks one knows about the other side's capacities; an extreme but influential fringe) are present here.

The New Yorker

For me, this procedure had almost been a disaster.

Huffington Post

But the results when my customers do stuff on their own are almost always a disaster.

Huffington Post

"It was almost a total disaster," Ms. Lea said.

The New York Times

The largest gathering yet of Pokémon Go players in San Francisco was almost a total disaster.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost a disaster" to create a sense of drama or tension in your writing. It effectively conveys that a situation was precarious but ultimately resolved, adding impact to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "almost a disaster" repeatedly in close proximity. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "nearly a catastrophe" or "close to a calamity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost a disaster" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically following a noun or clause to indicate a situation that came very close to being a complete failure or catastrophe. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost a disaster" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a situation that narrowly avoided a disastrous outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to add drama and highlight the importance of averting negative consequences. While it is an appropriate phrase, overuse should be avoided to prevent redundancy, and synonyms like "nearly a catastrophe" or "close to a calamity" can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember, using "almost a disaster" effectively can add impact, but moderation is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly a catastrophe

Emphasizes the high potential for widespread damage or loss that was narrowly avoided; conveys a sense of immense scale and potential devastation.

close to a calamity

Highlights the imminence of a significantly harmful or tragic event that was averted; suggests a precarious situation with potentially dire consequences.

narrowly avoided disaster

Focuses on the action that prevented the disaster; emphasizes the proximity to failure and the successful intervention.

averted a crisis

Suggests a critical situation that demanded immediate action to prevent escalation; highlights the successful management of an impending emergency.

escaped a debacle

Implies a shameful failure or humiliating defeat that was dodged; underscores the avoidance of public embarrassment or significant loss of reputation.

teetering on the brink of disaster

Uses vivid imagery to convey the precariousness of the situation; emphasizes the instability and the high likelihood of a negative outcome.

skirted a catastrophe

Indicates a close call where the negative consequences were only barely missed; suggests a near miss with potentially significant repercussions.

came close to ruin

Implies the potential for complete destruction or irreversible damage that was averted; emphasizes the severity of the potential consequences.

dodged a bullet

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest narrowly escaping a harmful situation; conveys a sense of relief and good fortune.

just in time

Highlights the timing and indicates that success was achieved with the smallest margin of error.

FAQs

How can I use "almost a disaster" in a sentence?

You can use "almost a disaster" to describe a situation that nearly resulted in a very negative outcome, such as "The company's financial situation was unstable, and its bankruptcy was "almost a disaster"."

What are some alternatives to saying "almost a disaster"?

Alternatives include phrases like "nearly a catastrophe", "close to a calamity", or "narrowly avoided disaster". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost a disaster"?

Yes, the phrase "almost a disaster" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. It follows standard grammar rules and is used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "almost a disaster" and "a complete disaster"?

"Almost a disaster" means that a negative outcome was narrowly avoided, while "a complete disaster" indicates that a situation has resulted in a total failure or catastrophe. The former implies hope or relief, while the latter conveys a sense of hopelessness or devastation.