almost speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is on the verge of speaking or expressing something but has not fully done so. Example: "She was almost speaking her mind, but she hesitated at the last moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With Noël Coward that's a real issue, because he ended up almost speaking the songs.

The New York Times - Arts

Though this would be the album version, Dylan keeps on, with an edgier, snarkier version, slower; he punches out, and makes more nasal the "Now you don'ts," almost speaking them as if he's Rex Harrison, then stops abruptly.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A rhythmic kind of writing works best, something that sounds almost spoken.

The New York Times

"We can almost speak in shorthand," Mr. Romney said in an interview.

The New York Times

Otherwise, Canada looks a lot like America, and Toronto almost speaks the same language, eh?

The New York Times

Christine Lagarde, the director of the International Monetary Fund, almost spoke of the liberation of Europe.

The Guardian

The three, all cantankerous and loud-mouthed, almost spoke to Mayor Abraham D. Beame as equals.

The New York Times

Sarwat looked down at the girl with a wolfish grin, almost spoke, then turned to her father.

The New Yorker

England is a wonderful, sort of peaceful country that almost speaks the same language we do ("English").

The New Yorker

A sentence so clear that it seemed almost spoken popped into my head: What you're doing is extremely dangerous.

The New Yorker

"With these special examinations for women you could almost speak of sexual violence," People's Daily online quoted Mr. Peng as saying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost speaking" to describe a situation where a character or individual is on the cusp of expressing a thought, feeling, or idea, but is interrupted or hesitates before fully articulating it. This can create suspense or reveal inner conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "almost speaking" when you mean someone is speaking quietly or unclearly. The phrase implies a potential for speech rather than a deficiency in it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost speaking" functions as a modifier, typically describing a subject that is close to uttering words or expressing thoughts. As suggested by Ludwig AI, it captures a state of near-verbal communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost speaking" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as validated by Ludwig AI. It effectively describes a state of being on the verge of verbalizing or expressing something. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to convey the intended nuance of near-verbalization, and consider alternatives like "nearly uttering" or "on the verge of saying" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of saying

Indicates a moment of decision and anticipation before something is spoken.

just about to say

Emphasizes imminence and timing.

all but speaking

Highlights that everything else except the act of speaking has been done.

nearly uttering

Focuses on the act of vocalization, emphasizing how close someone is to making a sound or statement.

close to expressing

Broadens the scope beyond spoken words to include any form of communication or indication.

on the brink of verbalizing

Emphasizes a critical moment before the action

virtually voicing

Highlights the act of giving voice to something, whether literally or figuratively, and being close to doing so.

practically verbalizing

Implies a tangible sense of something being made verbal or put into words, with a near-complete quality.

about to articulate

Emphasizes the preparation and intention behind forming words and expressing oneself.

nearing speech

Suggests a progression towards speaking, focusing on the approach to verbal communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost speaking" to describe someone who is on the verge of saying something, such as, "She was "almost speaking" her mind, but then she hesitated."

What's a more formal way to say "almost speaking"?

A more formal alternative to "almost speaking" would be "nearly articulating" or "on the verge of expressing". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but are suitable for more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "almost spoke" instead of "almost speaking"?

While "almost spoke" is grammatically correct, it implies that the action of speaking almost occurred but didn't. "Almost speaking" suggests a continuous state of being close to speaking, which may be more appropriate depending on the context.

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

"Almost speaking" implies a potential or intention to speak that is not fully realized. "Barely speaking", on the other hand, indicates that someone is speaking very little or with great difficulty. They describe different states of verbal communication.