almost out of fuel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost out of fuel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a vehicle or device is nearing the end of its fuel supply. Example: "We need to find a gas station soon; we're almost out of fuel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We are almost out of fuel.

The New York Times

And then there's the oddity of a dirigible, photographed in 1919 as it landed in Mineola, almost out of fuel after a 108-hour flight from Britain.

The New York Times

One guy laughed — my shivers, he said, were strong enough to power the boat, which was good because they were almost out of fuel.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Bayan was almost out of fuel, rendering it useless as a mother ship from which the pirates could mount attacks in skiffs against passing ships they hoped to hold for multimillion-dollar ransoms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'm almost out of cash".

The New Yorker

He had almost run out of fuel and was forced to break into a filling station.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, Stardust almost ran out of fuel, so there won't be an opportunity for an orbital maneuver that sets the spacecraft on course for yet another comet.

Science Magazine

The gray-haired diabetic woman spoke with her daughter about her worries: that she would run out of prescription drugs, that they were almost out of generator fuel to keep her insulin refrigerated and to run the fans at night.

The Washington Post

Deep Space 1, almost out of maneuvering fuel and with some of its instruments broken and others doing multiple tasks for which they were not designed, was not given much of a chance of accomplishing the comet flyby.

The New York Times

The plane had almost completely run out of fuel by the time she landed at the small airport in Sturgeon Bay and had only one functioning engine.

BBC

Almost everyone, even today, is aware that they never made it; they most likely ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where fuel is running low, use "almost out of fuel" to convey a sense of urgency and the need for prompt action. For example, "The plane was forced to land because it was "almost out of fuel".

Common error

Avoid using "almost out of fuel" when the fuel tank is significantly full. The phrase suggests a near-empty state, so ensure your usage accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost out of fuel" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., car, plane, generator). It describes the state of something nearing the end of its fuel supply. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost out of fuel" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is nearing the end of its fuel supply. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts, and serves as a warning or prompt for action. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of fuel depletion to avoid misleading your audience. Consider alternatives like "nearly depleted of fuel" or "running low on fuel" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly depleted of fuel

Replaces "almost out of" with "nearly depleted of", emphasizing the reduction in fuel.

running low on fuel

Focuses on the action of fuel decreasing rather than the state of being nearly empty.

fuel reserves are dwindling

Highlights the decreasing amount of fuel reserves.

close to running out of gas

Uses "gas" instead of "fuel", implying a more casual context.

fuel supply is nearly exhausted

Emphasizes the near exhaustion of the fuel supply in a formal tone.

about to run out of fuel

Focuses on the imminence of running out of fuel.

low on fuel

A shorter, more direct way of saying "almost out of fuel".

practically out of fuel

Emphasizes the degree to which the fuel is depleted.

dangerously low on fuel

Adds a sense of urgency and potential risk.

fuel level is critically low

More technical and precise, suitable for formal reports.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "almost out of fuel"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly depleted of fuel", "running low on fuel", or "low on fuel" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "almost out of gas" instead of "almost out of fuel"?

Yes, "almost out of gas" is a common alternative, especially in informal contexts. "Gas" is often used interchangeably with "fuel", particularly when referring to gasoline for vehicles. However, "fuel" is more general and can refer to any type of fuel.

What's the difference between "almost out of fuel" and "completely out of fuel"?

"Almost out of fuel" indicates that there is still a small amount of fuel remaining, while "completely out of fuel" means there is no fuel left. The former implies that action needs to be taken soon, while the latter suggests that it's already too late.

In what situations would I use the phrase "almost out of fuel"?

You would use "almost out of fuel" when describing a vehicle, generator, or any other equipment that is nearing the end of its fuel supply and requires refueling or recharging soon. For example, "We need to stop at the next gas station; we're "almost out of fuel".