almost completely

USAGE SUMMARY

'almost completely' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about something that has been virtually fulfilled or achieved. For example, "She had almost completely finished the painting when the rain started to pour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're almost completely sterile.

The New Yorker

Almost completely restored.

The Guardian - Books

PLX4032 cleared them almost completely.

The Economist

And almost completely tasteless.

The Guardian

China was almost completely blockaded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Silicon is almost completely nonmetallic; tin is almost completely metallic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were almost completely black.

The Guardian - Books

He's also almost completely unknown.

The Washington Post

It was almost completely grey.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Work dried up almost completely.

The Guardian - Money

And it's almost completely terrifying.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost completely" to convey a sense of near-totality or a state very close to being absolute, but be mindful of the slight difference compared to "completely". Choose this phrase when the distinction matters.

Common error

Avoid using "almost completely" when the situation is far from complete. This phrase implies a high degree of completion, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation. Don't say something is "almost completely" finished if it is only half done.

Linguistic Context

"Almost completely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the degree to which an action or state is realized. As Ludwig AI indicates, it implies a state very close to being fully realized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost completely" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a state of near-totality or a high degree of completion. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial phrase. Its usage spans a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, but it is essential to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the degree of completion being described. Be mindful of overstating a situation and consider alternatives like "nearly completely" or "virtually completely" for nuanced expression. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "almost completely" to convey a sense of near-absolute certainty while acknowledging minor imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly completely

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", offering a slight variation in emphasis while retaining the same core meaning.

virtually completely

Substitutes "almost" with "virtually", suggesting the state is so close to complete that it is, for all practical purposes, complete.

practically completely

Replaces "almost" with "practically", implying that while not technically complete, it is so close that the distinction is negligible.

almost entirely

Shifts the focus from "completely" to "entirely", providing a similar sense of near-totality.

largely completely

Replaces "almost" with "largely", indicating that the majority is complete.

pretty much completely

Uses a more informal tone while conveying a similar meaning of near-total completion.

close to completely

Expresses the idea of approaching complete status, but not necessarily fully achieved.

in large part completely

Emphasizes that a significant portion is complete, implying the remainder might not be.

substantially completely

Suggests a considerable degree of completion, though perhaps less colloquial than "almost completely".

approaching complete

Highlights the ongoing process of becoming complete, rather than a static state.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost completely" to describe something that is very near to being finished, done, or absolute. For example, "The project is "almost completely finished"" or "The data was "almost completely destroyed"".

What phrases are similar to "almost completely"?

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

Is it ever better to use "completely" instead of "almost completely"?

Yes, if something is actually 100% finished or absolute, use "completely". "Almost completely" is best when there's a very minor degree of incompleteness or a theoretical possibility of something lacking.

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

"Almost completely" indicates a state very near to being absolute, while "completely" means that something is entirely finished or absolute. The difference is subtle but important when accuracy is needed. For example, if you've "almost completely understood" a concept, you might still have minor questions.