almost passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost passing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly successful or nearly achieving a certain standard or level. Example: "Her performance was almost passing, but she needed just a few more points to meet the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I went from, like, almost passing Math B to, like, college calculus".

The New York Times

He had to be careful – he was almost passing stop signs he had stopped at faithfully for years.

Stanford University

But does that tally convey the beauty of the sun setting over the Hudson, with the whir of the West Side Highway almost passing for the sound of ocean waves?

The New York Times

She recalled almost passing on Ron Nyswaner's script, thinking it was solely a police procedural because of the deceptive structure of the story, but calls the finished film "riveting".

The Guardian - Film

He twitched, almost passing the ball to Gervinho, the lively Ivoirian who had already missed three sitters in the match, then changed his tune, rotated his body to pick out van Persie, who touched once, ran into space, and on his second touch lifted the ball over John Ruddy with his right foot, his weaker one, and just inside the near post.

The New York Times

Cech has made several slips, including almost passing into his own net in his side's opener against Manchester City.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

You almost pass out.

The New York Times - Arts

He panicked... almost passed out".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I almost passed out.

The New York Times - Sports

"I almost passed out in pain".

The New Yorker

Could almost pass as a children's song.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider whether alternatives like "nearly succeeding" or "just about passing" better capture the specific nuance you intend to express.

Common error

Avoid using "almost passing" when the subject clearly fails. This phrase indicates a near success, not a complete failure. For a complete failure, use terms like "failing" or "unsuccessful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost passing" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the degree to which something is "passing" or achieving a certain standard. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness, evident in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost passing" is grammatically sound and serves to describe a state of nearing success or meeting a standard, without actually achieving it. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the phrase appears across diverse sources, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, although it is more prevalent in news contexts. When writing, remember that "almost passing" is not total failing: rather you should convey a near success. For better clarity and concision, "nearly succeeding" or "just about passing" might be better alternatives based on the intended nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly succeeding

Emphasizes the proximity to achieving success.

barely making it

Highlights the narrow margin of success.

just about passing

Indicates a minimal level of success.

on the verge of passing

Suggests being very close to the point of passing.

close to succeeding

Focuses on the closeness to achieving a positive outcome.

nearing passage

More formal, implies the act of something passing.

approaching success

Highlights the movement towards a successful result.

inches away from passing

Uses a more visual metaphor for being close to success.

almost successful

Describes the state of being nearly successful.

within reach of passing

Indicates that success is attainable.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost passing" to describe something that is close to succeeding or meeting a certain standard. For example, "Her exam grade was "almost passing", she needed only a few more points."

What's the difference between "almost passing" and "barely passing"?

"Almost passing" means not quite succeeding, while "barely passing" implies achieving the minimum required to pass. "Almost passing" suggests failure, whereas "barely passing" indicates a slim success.

What are some alternatives to "almost passing"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly succeeding", "close to succeeding", or "on the verge of passing" depending on the specific context.

Is "almost passing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "almost passing" is grammatically correct. It combines the adverb "almost" with the present participle "passing" to describe a state of being near success.