almost one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity that is very close to one, often in contexts involving time, age, or numerical values. Example: "The meeting will start at almost one o'clock, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Almost one third (31%) relied on fee-for-service income.

BMC Pediatrics

"I feel like screaming almost," one says.

The New Yorker

It was almost one o'clock.

The New Yorker

That's almost one every day.

The Guardian

Almost one in five households are overcrowded.

The Guardian - Opinion

The order of convergence is almost one for each m.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Statewide, almost one-tenth may not.

The New York Times

Almost one-fourth of Australians professed no religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Almost one-third were Fortune 500 or Global 500 companies.

The New York Times

Together, they account for almost one-third of Israel's population.

The Economist

Almost one-third have been recovered.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost one", ensure the context clearly indicates what unit or quantity is being referred to. For example, "almost one year" is clearer than simply saying "almost one".

Common error

Avoid using "almost one" without specifying the unit, especially in technical contexts. This can lead to ambiguity. For instance, saying "the convergence is almost one" is vague; specify "almost one meter" or "almost one degree" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost one" functions as a modifier indicating a quantity or value that is slightly less than one. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. The examples show its use in diverse contexts, from time to numerical values.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost one" serves as a versatile modifier indicating a value proximate to unity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various English writing contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals its application in diverse scenarios, ranging from temporal estimations to numerical approximations. While maintaining a generally neutral register, its prevalence spans across scientific, journalistic, and formal domains. Ludwig's examples also highlight the importance of context and unit specification to mitigate potential ambiguities. Related phrases like "nearly one" or "close to one" can be used interchangeably depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly one

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", a direct synonym with minimal semantic difference.

close to one

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate proximity to the number one.

just under one

Highlights that the value is slightly less than one.

approaching one

Suggests that the value is moving towards one but hasn't reached it yet.

not quite one

Directly states that the value is less than one, but close.

virtually one

Emphasizes that the value is so close to one that it can be considered as such for practical purposes.

practically one

Similar to "virtually one", implying that the difference from one is negligible.

a little less than one

Explicitly specifies that the value is slightly smaller than one.

in the vicinity of one

A more formal way of saying that the value is near one.

in the neighborhood of one

Similar to "in the vicinity of one", indicating approximate proximity.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost one" to indicate a quantity that is slightly less than one whole unit. For example, "The project is "almost one" year complete" or "The cost is "almost one" million dollars".

What phrases are similar to "almost one"?

Similar phrases include "nearly one", "close to one", and "just under one". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "almost one" or "nearly one"?

Both "almost one" and "nearly one" are suitable for most contexts. "Nearly one" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.

How do I avoid ambiguity when using "almost one"?

Always specify the unit or quantity you are referring to. Instead of saying "It's "almost one"", say "It's "almost one" hour" or "It's "almost one" kilometer" to provide clarity.