almost a grade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost a grade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing academic performance, indicating that a person's score is close to achieving a higher grade. Example: "I was just almost a grade away from passing the exam, which was disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Gov. George W. Bush spoke at a level almost a grade below.

The New York Times

The analysis also found UTC students' GCSE results were almost a grade lower than their peers at secondary schools.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

By the end of 8th grade, girls are almost a full grade ahead.

Stanford University

Namely, for Duke students who completed collegea, Figure 1 shows that differences in grades between black and white students during their first semester were almost half a grade.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Lil Wayne knew that Augustin had almost a 3.7 grade-point average at Texas and that he graduated from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, which he described as "one of our elite schools".

The New York Times

According to a new report by the Sunlight Foundation, Congress has fallen by almost a full grade-level since 2005.

Huffington Post

But I recall the huge excitement and pleasure of our first campaign, which lasted nine months and almost certainly clipped a grade off each of my A-Levels!

The Guardian - Tech

Of the students who participated in the Second Life group, almost 80% received a grade of High Distinction or Distinction, i.e. a grade above 75%.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Almost all grade 3 tumours that were untreated are classified as grade 3 morphologically.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Almost all grade 3 ultrasonographic erosive changes were visualized with both MRI and radiography (Table 2).

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Almost all grade 3 and 4 toxicity occurred within the first 4 weeks of treatment (Table 2 >).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost a grade", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific grade or level is being referenced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "almost a grade" in situations where the distinction between the current level and the target grade is significant. This phrase should accurately reflect a narrow gap, not a substantial difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost a grade" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a degree of approximation to a specific academic level or standard. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost a grade" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to communicate proximity to a specific academic grade level. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for use in various contexts, from formal academic discussions to news reports. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "nearly a grade" or "close to a grade" to add nuance to your writing. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly a grade

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining the same meaning of being close to a grade.

just below a grade

Indicates being slightly lower than the specified grade.

a grade shy of

Emphasizes the lack of a full grade.

close to a grade

Highlights the proximity to the next grade level.

within reach of a grade

Suggests the possibility of achieving the next grade.

approaching a grade

Implies progress towards achieving the grade.

on the verge of a grade

Indicates being very close to obtaining the grade.

virtually a grade

Emphasizes how close something is to a full grade, suggesting it's practically there.

just about a grade

Indicates a situation that barely falls short of being a full grade.

not quite a grade

Directly states the failure to reach a full grade, subtly highlighting the narrow margin.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "almost a grade"?

It means that someone's performance or score is very close to reaching the next grade level but hasn't quite achieved it yet. It indicates a near miss or a close proximity to the desired academic standard.

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

You can use it to describe academic performance. For example, "I was "almost a grade" away from getting an A in the class."

What's a similar phrase to "almost a grade"?

Alternatives include "nearly a grade", "just below a grade", or "close to a grade". All these options express the idea of being close to, but not quite at, the specified grade level.

Is it appropriate to use "almost a grade" in formal writing?

Yes, it's generally acceptable, especially in contexts where you need to convey a precise sense of how close someone is to achieving a particular grade. However, ensure that the overall tone and style remain consistent with the formal setting.