The phrase "almost harsh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being severe or unkind, but not quite there.
Example: "Her criticism was almost harsh, but she delivered it with a gentle tone."
Alternatives: "nearly severe" or "borderline unkind".
It's almost harsh, almost unpleasant on the front end.
It is brusque, almost harsh, contrasting strongly with the elegance of French and English work.
But the mood is curiously somber, at times almost harsh, and an aftertaste of bleak resignation lingers after the sweet perfume of romanticism has evaporated.
His almost harsh palette of electric blue, green and purple was actually interesting, but it was forced into a death duel with pleated chiffon, sheer bodices with exotic dancer bras (or only one breast exposed: cute), and ball skirts flocked with giant pompoms.
First, there is a strong, almost harsh sense of direct disclosure, of a tone that suggests not only a writer trying to record her own feelings, but also the awareness of a reader who probably will have no direct basis for understanding those feelings.
The elliptical nature of the ballad, combined with those spare, almost harsh voices let you know that something dark and dangerous has happened among those trees, but you are never told exactly what it is so you are left to worry and imagine.
The world presented is almost unremittingly harsh.
Ayoub, the eldest boy in a family of five children orphaned early in the film by a mine, tries to provide for his brothers and sisters in these almost unendurably harsh circumstances.
Speaking on the last day of Labour's annual party conference, Miliband was almost as harsh on critics of his own party's leadership, suggesting that infighting over the next few months would do "the Tories' dirty work for them".
Opposition politicians say that the repeal of the ISA may yet turn out to be more symbolic than real if the new laws are almost as harsh as the old ones.Mr Najib has an election to win within the next year.
With her voice rising, and her tone almost as harsh as when she had been talking to the pianist, she said that answering so many of my questions and serving as my interpreter with her mother and grandmother had taken a toll on her throat.
