almost hit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost hit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a near miss or a situation where something nearly made contact or occurred. Example: "The car almost hit the pedestrian who suddenly stepped onto the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I almost hit it".

The New York Times - Travel

It was almost hit by a bus.

Independent

I almost hit a deer this summer.

The New York Times

We almost hit a calf.

The Guardian

It almost hit the wall".

The New York Times - Sports

I'd almost hit a wall.

The Guardian - Sport

The unemployment rate almost hit 9% and is increasing.

University of California, Berkeley

My jaw almost hit the table.

The New York Times - Magazine

The next one almost hit my toecap.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The latter contained their almost-hit, the aptly named Heavenly Pop Hit.

The Guardian - Music

He did almost hit.300.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an accident or a near miss, be specific about what "almost hit" what. Providing details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "almost hit" when there was actual contact, even if minor. Use verbs like "grazed", "nicked", or "brushed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost hit" functions as a modifier phrase, indicating the proximity to an action (hitting) without it actually occurring. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase describes a near miss or close proximity to an impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost hit" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a near miss or close call. Ludwig AI confirms its broad usability. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in news media. While alternatives like ""nearly collided with"" or ""narrowly missed"" exist, "almost hit" provides a clear and concise way to convey that something nearly made contact. Remember to use specific details to add clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly collided with

Focuses on the act of nearly colliding, emphasizing the avoidance of impact.

narrowly missed

Highlights the small margin by which an impact was avoided.

came close to hitting

More verbose but maintains a similar meaning.

had a near miss

Uses idiomatic expression indicating that an accident or a collision almost happened.

just missed

Simplifies the phrasing while retaining the core meaning.

avoided hitting

Emphasizes the successful avoidance of a collision.

escaped hitting

Similar to 'avoided hitting', but with a slightly stronger connotation of danger.

was close to impact

Shifts the focus to the proximity of the impact rather than the act of hitting.

brushed against

Implies a very slight contact or near contact.

grazed

Suggests a light contact instead of a direct hit.

FAQs

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

Use "almost hit" to describe a situation where a collision or impact was narrowly avoided. For example, "The car "nearly collided with" the cyclist", or "The ball "narrowly missed" the window".

What's a more formal alternative to "almost hit"?

In formal contexts, consider using "nearly collided with" or "came close to impacting" instead of "almost hit". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "almost hitted"?

No, "almost hitted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "almost hit", where "hit" remains in its base form even when used with "almost".

What's the difference between "almost hit" and "actually hit"?

"Almost hit" indicates that there was no contact, whereas "actually hit" means there was a collision or impact. The distinction is crucial for conveying the outcome of an event accurately.