almost more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost more than" is not standard in written English and can be confusing.
It can be used in informal contexts to express a feeling of being close to exceeding a certain limit or threshold, but it is generally better to avoid it for clarity. Example: "I feel almost more than ready to take on this challenge."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Almost more than before".

The New York Times

"It's almost more than you can imagine".

The New York Times

It's Lovett's story almost more than Todd's.

The Guardian - Music

They hated watching hockey almost more than anything.

The New Yorker

The situation was almost more than Mr. Gumucio could bear.

The New York Times

"It's almost more than I can take," Mrs. Harris said.

The New York Times

And Richard adored Lulu Peyraud almost more than life itself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was almost more than I could take in".

The New York Times

To watch television cameras inch their microscopic way across a Bosch is to see almost more than one can in person (and almost more than the artist himself).

The Guardian - Opinion

The magnitude of Pakistan's current tragedy is almost more than the mind can take in.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Over the years since I first read it, I've returned to Insomnia almost more than any other King book.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and formality in writing, consider swapping out "almost more than" with alternatives like "nearly more than" or "practically more than" to ensure precision.

Common error

While "almost more than" is common in everyday speech, overuse in professional documents can diminish credibility. Vary your phrasing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost more than" functions primarily as a comparative modifier, indicating a degree that is close to exceeding a certain limit. Ludwig shows this use across numerous contexts, often to amplify feelings or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost more than" is a frequently used comparative phrase that conveys a sense of nearing or slightly exceeding a limit. While common in everyday speech and media, Ludwig indicates that it's not always considered grammatically elegant, suggesting the use of alternatives like "nearly more than" or "practically more than" in formal contexts. Its prevalence across diverse sources underscores its general understandability, though careful consideration of register is advised.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically more than

Emphasizes nearing a limit or threshold, similar to "almost more than".

nearly more than

Indicates a close approximation, offering a slightly more formal alternative.

virtually more than

Highlights that the difference is so small it's as good as more than

just about more than

Conveys reaching a point that is slightly above

close to more than

Highlights the closeness of similarity in comparison

approaching more than

Indicates gradual increasing

nearing more than

Conveys a state that is soon be above

bordering on more than

Suggests a situation barely exceeding a threshold.

on the verge of more than

Expresses imminence, highlighting that something is about to be more than.

verging on more than

Conveys the feeling of being close to being bigger

FAQs

What does "almost more than" mean?

The phrase "almost more than" signifies a situation nearing or slightly exceeding a particular limit or threshold. It's used to convey that something is close to being greater or more significant than something else.

How can I use "almost more than" in a sentence?

You can use "almost more than" to compare the degree or intensity of two things, suggesting that one is nearly surpassing the other. For example: "The enthusiasm was "almost more than" we could handle."

What are some alternatives to "almost more than"?

Alternatives to "almost more than" include "practically more than", "nearly more than", or "virtually more than". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "almost more than"?

While "almost more than" is commonly used, it's not considered the most grammatically elegant phrase. Opting for alternatives like "practically more than" can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.