almost succeeded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost succeeded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone came close to achieving a goal or completing a task but did not fully accomplish it. Example: "After months of hard work, she almost succeeded in launching her own business, but a last-minute setback held her back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He almost succeeded.

The New York Times

"They almost succeeded".

The New York Times

The effort almost succeeded.

The New York Times - Books

And almost succeeded.

The Guardian - Books

"And we almost succeeded.

The New York Times

Last year, she almost succeeded.

The Washington Post

Bragg had almost succeeded in crushing the Union army.

The New York Times

This was a massive gamble, and it almost succeeded magnficently.

The Guardian - Music

With Pakistani backing, it almost succeeded, controlling most of the country between 1996 and 2001.

The Economist

It is certain, however, that Attila almost succeeded in occupying Aurelianum (Orléans) before the allies arrived.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Frequently he almost succeeded, but only after sufficient bungling to make his performance a comedy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost succeeded" to convey that an effort came close to achieving its objective but ultimately did not. This nuance can be important in providing context to outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "almost succeeded" when the action was fully successful. It should only be used when there was an attempt that fell short, not when describing completed accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost succeeded" functions as a verb phrase, typically modifying a subject to indicate an action that was nearly completed but ultimately not achieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost succeeded" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that effectively conveys the concept of near success. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and perfectly suitable for written English. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news media, encyclopedias, and online articles make it versatile for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intent to describe an effort that fell short of complete success, distinguishing it from full achievement. Related phrases like "nearly achieved" and "came close to succeeding" offer subtle variations for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly achieved

Focuses on the attainment aspect, implying a close approach to a specific goal.

came close to succeeding

Emphasizes the proximity to success but lacks completion.

narrowly failed

Highlights the failure but indicates a close margin.

virtually accomplished

Suggests a state very close to completion or achievement.

was on the verge of success

Emphasizes being at the brink of a positive outcome.

just missed succeeding

Implies a slight miscalculation or circumstance prevented success.

fell just short of success

Highlights that the attempt did not quite reach the intended result.

came within a hair's breadth of succeeding

Uses an idiomatic expression to underscore how close success was.

approached success

Highlights the process of getting closer but doesn't guarantee the outcome.

had a good chance of succeeding

Suggests favorable odds but does not confirm the achievement of success.

FAQs

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

Use "almost succeeded" to indicate that someone or something came very close to achieving a goal but ultimately failed. For example, "The company "almost succeeded" in reaching its sales target, but fell short by 5%."

What phrases are similar to "almost succeeded"?

Similar phrases include "nearly achieved", "came close to succeeding", and "narrowly failed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost succeeded"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The Ludwig AI also confirms this. It accurately describes a situation where an attempt came very close to success but did not fully achieve it.

What is the difference between "almost succeeded" and "succeeded"?

"Succeeded" indicates that the goal was fully achieved. "Almost succeeded", on the other hand, means that the goal was not fully achieved, though the attempt came close. For instance, saying someone "succeeded" in climbing the mountain means they reached the summit, while saying they ""almost succeeded"" means they got close but didn't quite make it.