almost close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost close" is not standard in written English and may be considered redundant.
It can be used informally to express that something is nearly near or approaching a certain point. Example: "The project is almost close to completion, just a few more tweaks needed."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was the smell, almost close enough.

The New Yorker

He was almost close enough to kiss her goodbye.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thus transmission efficiency of the whole system can be almost close to 100% in theoretical aspects.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

And they've been settling in the same location for almost close to 200 years.

Harvard Business Review

He is long ago, he is in India, but he is almost close enough to touch.

The New York Times - Travel

It is almost close enough to touch from the new mezzanine classroom studio.

The New York Times

When we were almost close enough to touch the scale-distorting walls, the captain switched off the engine.

The New York Times - Travel

It is almost close enough to hear a shot from a gun at the Taft Houses about 10 blocks away.

The New York Times

On a clear day, 11,000-foot Mount Hood looks almost close enough to touch from Kelley Field.

The New York Times - Travel

The hunters could do nothing but watch the shining black backs of bowheads, breathing calmly, almost close enough to touch.

The New Yorker

Corridors weave in and out of ornament-encrusted cast-iron columns, whose floral capitals are almost close enough to touch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more concise alternatives like "nearly close" or "almost there" to enhance clarity and avoid redundancy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "almost close" when simpler phrases like "nearly close" or "close" convey the same meaning more efficiently. This reduces wordiness and strengthens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost close" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of near proximity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's often considered redundant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

46%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost close" is a commonly used expression that describes something nearing a closed or completed state. While widely present in various contexts, including News & Media and Science, Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially redundant, suggesting that simpler alternatives like "nearly close" or simply "close" might enhance clarity. The expert rating reflects a balance between its common usage and the availability of more concise alternatives. Therefore, while "almost close" is acceptable, writers should consider whether a more succinct option would improve their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly close

Emphasizes the nearness in degree or extent, subtly highlighting the lack of a significant remaining distance.

practically close

Stresses the practical aspect of being near, suggesting that the remaining distance is negligible in a real-world sense.

virtually close

Highlights that the distance is so small it's as good as being closed or completed.

just about close

Indicates that something is on the verge of being close, highlighting the imminent completion.

essentially close

Emphasizes that the current state is so near to being closed that it can be treated as such.

nearing completion

Focuses on the process of becoming close, suggesting progress toward a final state.

approaching closeness

Highlights the act of moving toward a state of closeness, emphasizing the dynamic aspect.

drawing near

Suggests an increasing proximity, often used in a figurative sense.

on the verge of closing

Indicates that something is at the immediate threshold of being closed.

close at hand

Focuses on the accessibility and convenience of something being nearby.

FAQs

What does "almost close" mean?

The phrase "almost close" means nearly or very near to being in a closed state. It suggests a high degree of proximity without complete closure.

What can I say instead of "almost close"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly close", "virtually close", or simply "close", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost close"?

While commonly used, "almost close" can be considered somewhat redundant. Using just "close" or "nearly close" is often more concise and grammatically sound.

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

You might say, "The deal is almost close to being finalized," but it would be more effective to say, "The deal is "nearly finalized"" or "The deal is "close to being finalized"".