almost existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or entity that nearly came into being or was very close to existing but ultimately did not. Example: "The concept of a utopian society almost existed in the minds of philosophers throughout history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He almost existed to manage a crisis.

The New York Times

In the meantime, channel down cutting along the thalweg almost existed throughout the river course.

Journal of Hydrology

Abdominal pain is almost existed, aggravated by menstrual period.

BMC Women's Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They almost exist to steal our gaze.

The Guardian

Some restaurants, like the "21" Club, almost exist as stages for these little dramas.

The New York Times - Food

At the moment Partizan might almost exist to demonstrate how great a difference there can be between domestic and European competition.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus, there almost exists no Doppler spread in high-speed railway scenario.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The deeply ontological appeal of Pose comes from the reality that it almost exists in a vacuum.

Vice

Sci island, the possible pathogenicity island that has been found in genome Sf301 [ 5], almost exist in all S. flexneri strains except F6, but are all missing in the other strains.

BMC Genomics

Interestingly, such a figure almost exists in the manuscript - it is figure 1-, and it should be introduced much earlier than page 8 (if possible by mapping on it the classes I, II, and III).

Biology Direct

Lighting design occupies a peculiar niche -- an art that is ephemeral and intangible, that almost never exists by itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost existed" to describe concepts, ideas, or plans that were significantly developed but never fully realized. This adds a layer of nuance, suggesting potential or near completion.

Common error

Avoid using "almost existed" to describe something that is currently in a state of partial existence or continuous development. This phrase is best suited for scenarios with a definitive, unrealized endpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost existed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of near-existence in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it aptly describes something that came close to reality but ultimately did not materialize. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost existed" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express that something nearly came into being but did not fully materialize. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, as shown by Ludwig's example count, it appears in diverse contexts including News & Media, Science, Encyclopedias, and Wiki articles. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure it accurately reflects a past state of near-existence, rather than an ongoing process. Consider alternatives like "nearly came to be" or "was on the verge of existing" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly came to be

This phrase focuses on the process of becoming, highlighting how close something was to existing.

practically existed

Emphasizes the high degree to which something resembled existence, without fully achieving it.

virtually existed

Indicates that something existed in effect or essence, if not in reality.

was on the verge of existing

This suggests an imminent state of existence, very close to materializing.

came close to existing

Directly states the near attainment of existence.

bordered on existence

Implies a state that nearly reached the threshold of being.

was nearly existent

Focuses on the state of being existent, emphasizing its near realization.

approached existence

Describes a process of moving closer to becoming real or tangible.

was all but existent

Highlights that only a small element was missing for it to fully exist.

verged on being

Indicates that something was on the brink of existence or a particular state.

FAQs

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

Use "almost existed" to describe something that nearly came into being but ultimately did not, such as "The project "almost existed", but funding fell through at the last minute".

What can I say instead of "almost existed"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly came to be", "practically existed", or "was on the verge of existing" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "almost exists" instead of "almost existed"?

The choice depends on the tense you need. "Almost exists" refers to something that is currently close to existing, while "almost existed" describes something that was close to existing in the past but no longer is.

What is the difference between "almost existed" and "barely existed"?

"Almost existed" means something nearly came into being but did not. "Barely existed" implies something did exist, but only in a minimal or precarious way. For example, "The town "barely existed" after the flood" indicates it survived but was severely diminished.